The Role of Skill Development in Improving the Performance of Agricultural Extension Agents in Iran Using Structural Equation Modeling and Grounded Theory

Abstract

The present study aimed to investigate the role of skill development in improving the performance of agricultural extension agents in Iran. In this qualitative and quantitative research, grounded theory (GT) and survey methods were used to collect the information. Three hundred sixty-six extension agents were sampled for the study using Cochran’s formula. The required data were collected using structured and unstructured questionnaires. GT demonstrated that the core strategy for skill development could develop educational infrastructure to train extension agents. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that communicative skills had the strongest impact on the performance of agents. The policymakers and planners in Iran would employ the results of this study to find out the current situation of skills and ways to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of extension agents. This research contributes to the theory of performance perception of extension agents by providing a theoretical model which explains the relationship between the development of skills and the performance of agents.