Quarterly Scientific-Research Goljaam

needs of traditional producers. The cooperatives have been formed in Iran three decades ago. Continuation of the economic and social activities of these cooperatives depends on analyzing the ongoing problems. In this study, rural hand-made carpet cooperatives of Hamadan have been investigated. The main objectives of the study include analysis of weaknesses, threats, strengths and opportunities of the cooperatives and analysis of the strategies for strengthening these cooperatives with respect to the results of the pathology. The statistical population of the study includes all members of carpet cooperatives of Hamadan (923 persons) who were selected according to Cochran’s formula and 90 carpet weavers were randomly selected as statistical sample. The most important instrument for data collection was questionnaire. The validity of the questionnaire was confirmed by experts and its reliability was calculated using Cronbach’s Alpha coefficient (α=0.79). The analysis of SWOT was also used in this study. The results revealed that satisfaction of the design and new drawings for carpet that cooperative provide is their main strength, limitedness of the facilities of cooperative is their main weaknesses. Suitable position of Iranian carpet in the world is their important opportunity and carpet market volatility is the main threat of the cooperatives. At the end of the paper, four strategies have been offered.

Since the industry of hand-knitted carpet (tableau carpet) is a competitive one, so the financial data system especially the cost accounting system is required to preserve its status in the market and to plan for future production .The objective of this research is to provide an appropriate model for determining the cost of carpet (hand-knitted carpet) to be employed in cost accounting system. This will provide the necessary information for the higher managements of the carpet manufacturers. The data for this paper has been gathered using library-based and field studies methods via learning the stages of carpet manufacturing, theoretical accounting fundamentals, and cost analysis model research. The Delphi testing method is utilized and results are represented to the experts for review. A related questionnaire is also provided along with the results to collect the experts' opinions. This process will continue until a common and stable result can be reached.

“Josheghan-e-Ghali” is located in Isfahan Province near Kashan County, and it has some economic communication with this two cities. Carpet weaving has been common in this area since Safavid era and the products have been exported. In spite of a rich artistic history, this region has been rarely studied. This paper is the first survey about history of carpet weaving in “Josheghan” and the theories about it. The information of carpet weaving in this area will be forgotten, so library research and field method have been used for collecting related data. In Safavid era various carpet designs were weaved in this region but in Qajar era and after that, designs had reduced and some special features had been appeared in the products. It seems that the theory of “Pope” regarding the derivation of contemporary “Josheghan” design from Safavid vase carpet is reasonable. By the way no decisive theory can be expressed in this regard. 

 Garden and Persian carpets of among the oldest phenomena in the course of history. There are some points which indicate that garden and carpet have been closely connected. Chaharbagh structures were important works of ancient pre-Islamic Iran, at Achaemenid and Sassanid periods and Ilkhanid era, especially in the Timurid and Safavid era. Like Chaharbagh style, Chaharbagh or Golestan motifs also are notable and impressive in carpets of some periods of Iranian history. Though there no many Chaharbagh carpets left from the late Safavid era, but the few existing examples shows the spread this carpet style that is a reflection of the Chaharbagh. Examples of the carpets with Chaharbagh design can be found in west of Iran and particularly in Kurdistan, and a number of them now adorn museums and private collections outside the borders of Iran. By examining these carpets and Chaharbagh structures in the area we will understand that this relationship is longstanding. The works reflect the continuity of design and motif of Chaharbagh carpets and Chaharbagh structures which are more stable than other parts of the west of Iran until the end of the Qajar era. Evidences for this idea is the carpets which belongs to the northwestern Iran especially in cities Bijar and Sanandaj in Kurdistan Province. The samples of such Chaharbagh structures were fully operative until five decades ago. Therefore, it is assumed that that the commissioners and patrons of Chaharbagh structures and Golestan carpets have been the same social group, and it is believed that they are among the local rulers. In this paper, the background of Chaharbagh structures, Chaharbagh carpets in Kurdistan province and the relation between Chaharbagh structures and Chaharbagh carpets has been studied.

The purpose of this paper is to survey the impact of competitive intelligence on Iran’s carpet industry competitiveness. To measure competitive intelligence, we applied three dimensions including: social-strategic intelligence, technologic intelligence and market intelligence; and for measuring competitiveness, internal resources, situation in markets and creativity and innovation indices were utilized. First of by applying Pearson correlation and regression tests, positive and meaningful influence of competitive intelligence and its dimensions on competitiveness were demonstrated. Subsequently, the results of using Average test showed that all variables apart from social-strategic intelligence were at favorable levels. Finally by utilizing fuzzy TOPSIS technique, competitive intelligence indices were ranked and “ensuring of continues relationship with customers”, “feedback to customers” and “strategic planning” were selected as the most important ones.

 In order to study the “feasibility assessment of brokerage establishment for quality control of handmade carpets with an emphasis on domestic workrooms”, indicators and quality control criteria of these carpet have been compiled. These indicators have been prioritized according to the views of producers, exporters, professionals and experts of handmade carpets, and then, the pilot quality control of these carpets has been executed for handmade carpets of Kashan. Finally technical, social and economic feasibility of the brokerage establishment on the quality control have been examined based on the result of the pilot implementation and empirical experiments. It is noted that without the help and support of the government and due to lack of incentive of weavers to pay a fee to use the brokerage services, this is not economically feasible. 

Handmade carpet is considered to be one of most important exporting commodities which enjoys a special place in international markets. However, it has not found such importance in domestic markets and, as a result, today handmade carpets are found much less than machine-made ones in Iranian homes. It comes to mind that such weak usage of handmade carpet can be mainly attributed to its high cost. In this survey research, different affluent and middle class districts of four cities, i.e. Tabriz, Ghom, Tehran and Isfahan, have been studied via four steps. The findings show that high cost of handmade carpets is not the only major factor of low usage of these carpet by the affluent classes of the society, but there are other factors which refer to the unawareness of these classes regarding the special properties of handmade carpets compared with the machine-made ones

 The extensive developments of Iranian arts in Qajar era eventually led to pictorial representation in almost all forms of art. Carpet weaving was no exception too and during this era the so-called pictorial carpets emerged. Although the images of these carpets mostly appeared in the central field, the borders of the carpets also underwent drastic developments. The findings of this essay indicate that despite weakening of the borders, they have never been removed and were always as an indispensible part of such carpets. In some of the carpets, one can see that the proportions of borders are not right but their provenance is identifiable. The methodology of this research is descriptive-analytical one. The statistical population consists of 79 pictorial carpets of Qajar era and the data have been collected using both desk and field studies.

In the late of the Qajar era, a Persianized Iranian royal family of Azerbaijani Turkic origin which ruled Persia from 1785 to 1925, the Isfahan carpet design was revived by some of the artists such as Mirza Aqa Emami and Mohammad Hossein Mosavver Al-Molki. One of the leading artists in the late of the Qajar period and the early of the next period, Mohammad Hossein Mosavver Al-Molki, known as Haj Mossaver, was an innovator whether in painting or carpet design. However, the traditions of the Safavid painting and design are dominant in his works. He revived the hunting design which belonged to the previous periods specially Safavid era in the Isfahan carpet. In this paper, the Mosavver Al-Molki’s hunting designs is studied with a descriptive-analytical method and the paper’s data is collected through an observational and library-based research. The study revealed that his works were not a mere imitation. He changed the horizontal composition of the Safavid hunting carpets to the vertical composition. As a result, a high horizon was created in the hunting scene. Haj Mosavver had a realistic perspective in his designs and so, he solved the problem of the separation between the nature of the field and the elements of hunting scene in traditional hunting carpets via converting the vines and palmettos to the small bushes and shrubs. In fact, his work was a logical relationship between the contemporary carpet design and the Safavid’s.

 Bird motif has always had an important place in Iranian artworks. Various patterns of birds have been presented in all types of Persian art like carpets. Bird motifs, both in abstract and naturalistic forms, can be found in Iranian carpet design. This paper, after studying the role of bird motif in Iran's art and literature, introduced the formal and conceptual aspects of the motif in "Kheshti" design pattern. For this purpose, some images of Kheshti carpets of Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari have been illustrated. This is a descriptive research and data collection has been accomplished using library-based studies, written literature and images

 Hand-woven carpet is among the most important manufacturing product of Iran that is produced mainly for export, and due to its exceptionally strong and artistic aspects, it is very popular around the world, especially in Western countries. The artistic components mixed with culture, customs, traditions, religion and architecture of Iran combined with a high diversity of designs and motifs, patterns and colors, have made Persian carpets not commercial flooring but a valuable brand. For this product, like other products, different technologies are used during the time to meet the manufacturers' needs, although the penetration of technology in carpet is significantly slow. The topic of this paper is the use of technology for weaving in the context of the supply chain that is associated with much controversy. In other segments of the supply chain, including spinning, dyeing, design and painting, payment, promotion, marketing, sale and export, the technology is used with different sensitivities. Here, different view regarding the use of technology in weaving phase of the supply chain has been evaluated. Obviously, due to differences of opinion in this regard, the author finally proposes his recommendation

 The Safavid Era is considered as the golden age of Iranian carpet history, which in addition to beauty of pattern, motif and color, has yielded worthwhile concepts on its carpets. The lion motif is one of those motifs on carpets of Safavid Era which have been depicted as both a prey and a hunter. Repetition of, and emphasis on this motif, which contains diverse concepts and senses in Iranian and Islamic cultures as well as gnostic viewpoints, raise this question that what concepts are manifested by the motif of lion. Mowlana regards the lion as the symbol of God, God's names and traits, the symbol of fate, people of virtue and saints as well as symbol of Mohammad Prophet, Hazrat Ali, wisdom, thinking and even sensuality. However, in his view, the concept of the lion is further interpreted to be human and perfect human rather than other symbols. A meaningful relationship, in the visual and conceptual studies, can be seen among lion motif in the view of Mowlana and on Safavid carpets. In more than 10 samples of the carpets, where the lion motifs studied in different situation and diverse positions, it was observed and implied that the lion, after unwieldy and difficult struggle, reaches to the center of the universe, i.e. the medallion of the carpet, and finally attain human-like lion degree. This concept also is reflected in the ideas of Mowlana. This study has been performed using library method, as well as the case study of carpets of Safavid using content analysis method and by comparison of samples.

As a result of expansion of relationships between Gurkanian (Indian Muquls) and Safavid Kings, we can see some impacts of Iran on Indian carpets, illustrations, architecture and related arts. Some of the motifs in carpets were spread to India during Gurkanian Era. This paper tries to find out the direct or indirect influences of depicted carpets’ motifs in Persian paintings on Indian arts. So the questions are: What is the reason for the representation of Persian carpets in Indian miniatures during Muqul era? What are the represented motifs from Persian carpets in Indian miniatures? The applied research method is descriptive- analytical via library data collection. The results show that, Indian kings’ interest in arts, the relationship with Safavid Kingdom, and immigrations of Iranian artists to India in Shah-Tahmasb’s Era, are the reasons for representation of Persian carpets’ motifs in Indian miniatures. The represented carpets’ motifs in Indian miniatures besides the influence Iranian artists' exercise represent the nativity of vegetative motifs in either abstract or natural forms depicted by Indian artists

The role of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in economy and in creating jobs in developing countries is an important parameter, and other important parameters in this field include investigating their economic situation and profitability in order for survival and creating value for customers. Whereas small and medium enterprises which work on sale of Iranian handmade carpets,as the exclusive product with international brand and national position,can benefit from handicraft expertsand human resources,and use domestic resources to answer domestic demand, as well as many customers around the world.Nevertheless,the export of this product has decreased comparing other domestic products, but still experts and active participants in this industry antedate from other domestic and foreign rivals and are successful in development and growth of this product. Identifying effective methods for growth of small and medium enterprises in carpet industry in international economyand the related indicators can be profitable for other active participants and stakeholders, whether in private and corporation sectorsor for planners and policy-makers in this section. This study seeks to answer the question thatwhat elements, despite decreasing exports of carpet, have caused the growth of small and medium Enterprises (SMEs) in carpet export sector. Identifying and prioritizing such parameters are the results of this case study. The geographic scope of this study is the exporters of handmade carpet and during 2013. The research methodology is descriptive-correlativeone and research population include all exporters of handmade carpet which earn over 1 million dollars annually. Data collection was conducted using a questionnaire that was prepared according to review of literature. Dependent variable in this research was growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) of carpet industry in international economy, which can illustrate the sales scale, increment and exporting the stuff (MacMillan and Day, 1987) and independent variables include ability and capacities, demands (causes and activators of growth), resources, seasons and manager and service’s owner personal characteristics (Davidson, et al. 2006). Results illustrate that there is a positive correlation between variables of demands and seasons in range of 99 percent to growth of producing services and commercial services of export of handmade carpet.The aim of this research is studying effective factors on the growth of carpet export in Iranian small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The research design is based on correlation. Instrument validity was established by a panel of experts and its reliability was confirmed by filling out 30 questionnaires. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was calculated for different parts between from 0.75 to 0.84. The statistical population was 124 carpet exporters that during ten past years(2001-2011) exported more than one million dollar. Due to their small numbers,census method was used for data collection. The descriptive results of the research indicated that the average amount of carpet export among Iranian SMEs was 4.5 million dollars. Another result showed that there was positive correlation between demands and opportunities facing these SMEs with their growth. The results of the bivariate regression revealed that 38.4% of variation of SMEs’ growth stemmed from these two factors (between demands and opportunities facing these SMEs).

Sharpness of the carpet design is one of the parameters affecting the visual appearance of the carpets. In this paper, some preparatory steps have been taken for measuring the sharpness of the carpet design. First, the influencing parameters on the sharpness of the carpet design have been analyzed and formulated, thus this formula can be used as a theoretical base for measuring the sharpness of the carpet design. Then, by simulation of the carpet design formation, the effect of distinctive steps of carpet product on the sharpness of the carpet design has been studied.

It can be said that a part of our cultural-artistic identity and even national identity is interwoven with carpet. Persian carpet history has been glorious and brilliant,and the artisans of the field, relying on rich and prolific past and the road which has been taken, can inspire innovation to keep it alive. Thus, one of the tasks of the researchers in this context is introducing the rich past of Persian carpet and its historical identity. This paper is based on desk and fieldstudyand aimed to study historical-artisticproperties and semiotics of one of the most famous motifs in carpets,i.e. Harati motif within the geography of Iranian carpets. The questions which are to be answered include: What is Harati motif? What is the origin that motif? And what are the types of Harati motif?

Culturalattitudesduringdifferentperiodsare associated withmythologicalbeliefs ofthe people, however,regarding culturaldivision, each period contain a particularconcept. Hand-woven motifsand mythsinproportion to the categoriesof motifs in Persiancarpet are dividedinto several types, mostimportantly mythicfigureas plant and animalmotifs(Daryaei, 2003, 83). It cannot be saidthat such motifs oncarpetsare exactly equal to the interpretation ofthe concepts thattoday'sgreatestmythologists,sociologistsand historianspropose. Behind these motifs, there lies a written language of people who have experienced the powerto transfersuchideasin therealmofcolor andwool.One of themost importantartisticvaluesin Persian rugsis their motifs, and howwe can identifythemythic valuesof such motifs?GholtoughVillageinZanjan Province is one of the importantcarpet-weaving areas in Iran. Carpetart-industryhas prevailedin the areafor a longtime andhas survived until today,soits designs and motifscanberooted in thepastperiods.Carpetsof Gholtoughvillageasa manifestation ofthe richart and cultureof this landhave beenabandoned for years.Thus, in order torevivethis art, a closer look atthefactorsaffectingitsplasticity, its originaldrawingsanddesigns and its maincharacteristicsis necessary, so that its symbolicandmythicalconceptscan be identified, and imagination and of puredreamsofits weavercan be describedand understood.The aimisto identify themythic valuesof motifs in Gholtoughcarpetand to find needed information.This studyis historical, descriptiveandanalyticalin terms of method. Accordingly, firsta brief historyof Gholtoughvillagewill be provided and technical characteristicsandappearance ofthe carpets in the areaare studied.Finally, aestheticfactorsare describedwhich are the cultural and intellectualgrounds for mythologicalmotifson the carpet.Sample size for motifs of Gholtoughcarpethas been 9samples.

One of the most important fields of research in Iran is investigation of the characteristics of the Iranian carpet designs and motifs, especially in geographical areas in which the carpet patterns are woven imaginarily. Understanding, preserving and planning for revival of the original carpet patterns can be enhanced significantly through categorization, reformation and determination of the applied proportions in these mental patterns, which have been transferred from one generation to another through continuous years. One kind of such carpets is Vist’simaginarily-woven carpet which has been woven in the central areas of Isfahan, southwest of Khansar by nomads who came from Hamedan and left nomadic life 400 years ago and decided to reside in Vist village. Forms and patterns of the imaginarily-woven carpets of Vist have been uniform and distinct from one carpet to another with only minor change during these years. In this study, local experts selected 50 Vist carpets with more than six square meter size having all the features of Vist's patterns. They were nearly 100 years old and could be found in Vist village and the neighboring villages. Then the largest vertical and horizontal dimensions of each feature of the pattern were measured. Afterwards, different hypotheses were proposed among dimensional proportions as designing structure in Vist carpet and were tested by use of a numerical software program. Based on these findings, it was found that 16 structures were one-dimensional and these were woven imaginarily and carefully without any kind of carpet designing. The weavers of Vist carpets observed 5 determined proportions among features of Vist imaginary patterns while weaving in harmony with other characteristics in specific parts of the carpet. This study shows that other six hypotheses of researchers about proportion and determined structures among elements of imaginarily-woven carpets of Vist were not true. It is also possible to help to clarify the position of thesestructures by determining two-dimensional proportions among elements of pattern. This research presents categorized and analyzed proportions which were found for arrangement of Vist carpets.

Increasing development of e-commerce in global extent encompass diverse and different products. The handmade carpet is one of such products traded by many websites around the worlds. However, in Iran e-commerce of handmade carpet has not been taken seriously. The results of previous studies have shown that the commencing such action is fully beneficial and useful. E-commerce, however, due to some reasons have not become possible until recently in Iran. This research is conducted using descriptive-surveying-analytical method using observational tools, and by distributing a questionnaire and desk study. Observation and analysis of foreign successful websites as well as study of active Iranian websites and interviewing with exporters of handmade carpet in Tehran revealed major causes and reasons of absence of Iran in this field. The results show that successful foreign websites technically and operationally have no complex tools and equipment which may need major investment. Thus, designing and launching similar website is also possible in Iran. However, regarding absence of training and necessary and required data among sellers and exporters and limited relationships with other countries and foreign banksdue to sanctions, they are not much willing to participate in this context. Its seems that by attracting foreign financial partners and financial support of the government in creation of equipped marketing websites, training of businessmen and producers, and legislation for copy right in the context of handmade carpet the grounds for introducing e-commerce of handmade carpet can be provided.

Persian carpet has been woven on the basis of designs and patterns for a long time. The weaving of carpet according to dimensions proportionate to the established principles in terms of context and design indicates such computational principles. Carpet experts use basic units or time scales to calculate carpet’s drawing anddetailedfactorssuch asfees for the workmen.Unfortunately, no comprehensive and systematic research has been done on the principles and bases of computationsfor drawing sheets.This researchwas conductedusing desk study and field study methods, where evolution ofcarpetdrawings, measurementunits andbasesfor drawing mapcalculations,drawing sheetsand workmenpayment have been studied. As a result of this study a special and detailed look into the carpet and its associated elements become clear, and the reason, thought and knowledge behind this applied art is revealed. This valuable knowledge and experience can possibly be conveyedto contribute the revival of this art.