Institute for Management and Planning studies 3115-7092 3115-7106 14 2 2009 12 1 Lessons from EU Regional Integration for ECO 3 38 FA Ali Omidi al.omidi@gmail.com Y Abed AslaniAslemarz ab_1634@yahoo.com N EU relative success of regional integration has encouraged other regions of the world to make new regional arrangements with the aim of economic growth and development as well as extending peace and friendship in their own regions. Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) was formed in line with the same goals. At the first glance, these two regional bodies might seem incomparable as far as their goals, statute, performance and terms are concerned however some member countries of ECO do not evaluate its present performance as satisfactory and wish to improve it a to better status. This article tries to examine ECO concerns with a view of EU relative success in mind. Based on the review of the related literature on the EU regional body, the researchers categorize ECO problems into two: first, structural problems such as the lack of dynamic democracy and economic liberalism, as well as geopolitical vulnerability and negative the influence of trans-regional powers, and second, the lack of trade strategies. The research findings show that ECO has not yet finalized the first step of regional integration, i.e. the unity of the customs. Therefore, the members’ motivation for progress has diminished. The authors are still hopeful about destiny of ECO. This article do not assess EU situation as ideal or without difficulty. Yet realistically speaking, the EU success in regional integration could be an examinable model for the world. Consequently, European experience might helpful for ECO. European :union: (EU), Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), Regionalism, Integration http://eprj.ir/article-1-292-en.html http://eprj.ir/article-1-292-en.pdf

Institute for Management and Planning studies 3115-7092 3115-7106 14 2 2009 12 1 Elements of Entrepreneurship in Iran Economy 39 59 FA Mohamad Ardehali mardehali@yahoo.com Y Zeynab Hashempour zhashempour@gmail.com N In the recent literature of economics, entrepreneurship has been regarded as a key factor in the economic growth. Thus, encouraging of entrepreneurship is highly recommended in public policies. In the national production function, the role of entrepreneurship capital and labor is invaluable. Entrepreneurship capital is the capacity of an economy to generate entrepreneurial behavior. Increase of this capital would result in an increase in the number of entrepreneurs entrepreneurs develop innovation and competition, which, in turn, can cause more productivity and employment. In conducting this paper, entrepreneurship has been approached from the macroeconomic viewpoint, followed by practical suggestions for increasing entrepreneurship rate. As a short run strategy, training entrepreneurship and supporting entrepreneurs are suggested. Meanwhile, using successful entrepreneurs and avoiding formal schooling as a way of training efficient entrepreneurs are also recommended. It must be noted that, policies for increasing entrepreneurship capital in the long run will bring about considerable economic growth. Of these policies, promoting self-employment culture, creating new knowledge and appropriate regulation for facilitating new businesses can be mentioned. Entrepreneurship Capital, Entrepreneurs Training, Economic Growth, Full Employment, Productivity http://eprj.ir/article-1-293-en.html http://eprj.ir/article-1-293-en.pdf

Institute for Management and Planning studies 3115-7092 3115-7106 14 2 2009 12 1 Evaluating the role of Private Banks in the Competitiveness of Iran’s Banking Industry within 2001-2008 61 73 FA Behzad Shiri b.shiri@email.com Y This article tries to survey the structure of Iran’s banking industry during the period 2001-2008. The survey has been conducted on the basis of two concentration indicators, namely, Herfindahl-Hirschman Index (HHI) and Concentration Ratio (CRk). The results of the study show that concentration has undergone a decreasing trend in Iran’s banking industry market. The main cause of such a trend is the entrance of the private banks in the market within the period mentioned.. Banking Industry, Competition, Concentration and Deconcentration in Banking Services http://eprj.ir/article-1-294-en.html http://eprj.ir/article-1-294-en.pdf

Institute for Management and Planning studies 3115-7092 3115-7106 14 2 2009 12 1 Defining Developmental Priorities for Agriculture Sector of Yazd Province on Strategic Planning Model 75 105 FA Majed Deghanizadeh dehghani.majid800@gmail.com Y Seyyed-Mojtaba Hosseini-pour N The experiences of institutions and companies, including state organizations, during recent decades indicate that achieving great goals, as well as properly responding the requirements of beneficiaries in turbulent environments of the modern era will not be realized, unless under the auspices of strategic planning. With regards to the significant role and position of agriculture sector in the life and economy status of Yazd province, this research tries to work out the developmental perspective and strategies for agriculture sector in the province using the strategic planning model. Therefore, a desirable vision was formulated for the sector through the use of the contemporary process of strategic management. Moreover, the external and internal factors as well as the beneficiaries of the agricultural sector were identified to depict the strategic status of the sector and the success vision approach was taken to devise the strategies needed. Finally, the mission of the province’s agriculture sector was rewritten on the formulated perspective. The research results show that in the present situation, the effects of threatening and devastating external factors and internal weaknesses exceed the favorable strengths and opportunities of the agricultural sector to achieve the desired vision. Being located in the strategic region number 4, i.e. the dangerous area, will require that highly defensive strategies are adopted. According to the mission worked out, the agricultural sector is supposed to hit its visionary targets through 13-fold strategies, emphasizing the promotion of the welfare and social status of farmers, justice-oriented and sustainable development principles. Agriculture Sector of Yazd Province, Strategic Planning, Developmental Strategies, Perspective, Mission http://eprj.ir/article-1-295-en.html http://eprj.ir/article-1-295-en.pdf

Institute for Management and Planning studies 3115-7092 3115-7106 14 2 2009 12 1 Evaluating the Comparative Advantage of Pistachios Production in Kerman Province 107 142 FA Alireza Rahbar Dehghan alirezarahbar88@gmail.com Y Ahmad Akbari N Nazar Dehmardeh N Kerman province is the first in the area of production and cultivation of pistachios in Iran. In this study, a number of 162 samples were collected using ‘cluster sampling’ from Kerman province in 2009 to analyze the policy effects and the comparative advantage of pistachios production in the province. The comparative advantage was computed through Policy Analysis Matrix (PAM). Domestic Resource Cost (DRC), Social Cost-Benefit (SCB), Nominal Input Protection Coefficient (NPIC), Nominal Protection Coefficient (NPC), Effective Protection Coefficient (EPC) and Net Social Profit (NSP) were the indices used in the study. The results show that the production of pistachios was a comparative advantage in Kerman province. Meanwhile they revealed that although the government supports the inputs market of the product, its sales market is not supported in any way. In the mean time, the findings indicate that the government’s intervention in the inputs or sales markets of the product would be harmful for the producers. The study shows that production and exports of pistachios are profitable in free competition terms. Kerman, Policy Analysis Matrix, Pistachios, Comparative Advantage http://eprj.ir/article-1-296-en.html http://eprj.ir/article-1-296-en.pdf

Institute for Management and Planning studies 3115-7092 3115-7106 14 2 2009 12 1 143 166 FA Hossein Alipoor hssnalipour@gmail.com Y http://eprj.ir/article-1-297-en.html http://eprj.ir/article-1-297-en.pdf