The role of surrounding rural economies in diversifying the urban economy of Masjed Soleyman in the post-oil era

The main objective of this study is to explain and evaluate the role of the surrounding rural economy in diversifying the urban economy of Masjed Soleyman in order to facilitate the transition from a mono-product economy in the post-oil era. In terms of purpose, this research is applied, and in terms of methodology, it is a descriptive–analytical study based on a field survey. The statistical population consists of residents of 11 villages within the city’s sphere of influence, from whom 355 individuals were selected as the sample using Cochran’s formula. The data collection instrument was a researcher-designed questionnaire encompassing four dimensions: production, consumer market, financial flows, and tourism. The results of the one-sample t-test indicated that the overall role of the rural economy is positive, with a mean value of 3.35; however, an in-depth examination of the dimensions reveals structural imbalance. Specifically, the “consumer market” dimension, with a mean of 4.19, represents the most favorable condition, while “tourism,” with a mean of 2.83, exhibits the weakest condition. The Friedman test, by ranking the consumer market in the first position, also confirmed the dominance of a consumption-oriented approach. Nevertheless, the results of multivariate regression analysis, with a coefficient of determination (R²) of 0.621, outline a different paradigm for the future. The findings show that, contrary to the current situation, the “tourism and spatial dimension,” with a beta coefficient of 0.445, has the greatest impact on diversifying the urban economy, followed by “production” (0.382), whereas the consumer market has the least effect.