Pathology of water consumption behavior from the perspective of stakeholders (Case study: Yazd citizens)

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Assistant Professor of Sociology, Hazrat Narjes (S) Faculty, Vali-e- Asr (AJ) University of Rafsanjan, Rafsanjan, Iran

2 Professor of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran

Abstract

Water scarcity is a global issue and our country is also facing a shortage of water resources due to its location in the arid and semi-arid belt. In the meantime, Yazd city has special conditions due to its hot and dry climate, high evaporation and direct sunlight. The aim of the present study is to pathologically analyze the consumption behavior of Yazd stakeholders in water consumption. In the theoretical sensitivity section, Durkheim's theory of anomie has been used in environmental discussions. Anomie is a condition in which there are no normative guidelines for the normative behavior of citizens. The research method is grounded theory and the statistical population consists of three groups of experts - managers, academic experts and experts and employers in the industrial and agricultural sectors. The sampling in this study was multiple purposive and the sample size was provided through theoretical saturation. The research data was collected using a semi-structured in-depth interview technique with 28 stakeholders and then the data were analyzed with open, axial and selective coding. The findings of the study showed that the form of water consumption behavior in Yazd, as a result of disconnection from nature and environmental norms, can lead to harmful behaviors towards the environment, which have resulted in: lack of attention to the development of conservation agriculture, water logging, loss of the historical-water identity of Yazd city, and hydraulic anomaly. It can be concluded that decision-makers and policymakers should provide the conditions for rethinking and reconstructing the historical-water identity of Yazd city through cultural activities along with technical measures, and through education, strengthen water-oriented conversations between people and officials. The present study attempted to open a door for this theory to enter environmental issues by expanding Durkheim's theory of anomie in the environmental field.

Keywords

References

Ahmadi, S. and zareei, G. (2017). A Study of the Effect of Religiousity on Attitude into Water Saving in Yasouj. Quarterly Journal of Social Development (Previously Human Development), 11(3), 195-210. doi: 10.22055/qjsd.2017.12829.
Amiri Borkhani, M. Ashrafzadeh, A. Khalediyan, M.R.Shah Nazari, A. (2016). Investigation of temporal and spatial changes and salinity of groundwater in Yazd province using geometric statistical method of, Journal of echo hydrological, 3(3), 333-345. (In Persian)
Agnew, R. (1992).Fundation For a General Strain Theory of Crime and Delinquency, Crimonology, 30(1), 47-48.
Abroutyn, S. (2023). Toward a General Theory of Anomie The Social Psychology of Disintegration,        European Journal of Sociology 60(1):109-36.
Arabpour, A. (2021). A Model of Water Governance Based on Social Marketing: A Change of Public Attitude Towards Water Usage. Majlis and Rahbord, 28(106), 99-128. doi: 10.22034/mr.2021.456.
Bonyad, L. zareshahabadi, A. & Parsamehr, M. (2022). Pathology of Water Governance in Yazd. Journal of Water and Sustainable Development, 9(3), 57-72. doi: 10.22067/jwsd.v9i3.2204.1137
 Bonyad, L. (2022). Sociological study of water resources governance and use in Yazd, PhD thesis in sociology, Department of Sociology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Yazd University.
Bonyad, L. zareshahabadi, A. (2025). The Embededdness of Water with Economic, Social and Political Platforms from the Point of View of Yazdi Stakeholders, Journal of Environmental Researcher, the article has not yet been published and will be published in issue 32 of the Fall/Winter 2025 magazine.
Brown, A. R. (2022). Environmental anomie and the disruption of physical norms during disaster. Current Sociology, 72(3), 407-423. https://doi.org/10.1177/00113921221129316
Bernburg, J.G. (2002). Anomie, Social Change and Crime: A Theoretical Examination of Institutional-Anomie Theory, British Journal of Criminology, 42(4), 729-742. https://www.ojp.gov/ncjrs/virtual-library/abstracts/anomie-social-change-and-crime-theoretical-examination.
Charmaz, K. (2014). Constructing grounded theory: A practical guide through qualitative analysis (2nd ed.). London, England: SAGE.
Corbin, J., & Strauss, A. (2008). Basics of Qualitative Research: Techniques and Procedures for Developing Grounded Theory (3rd ed.). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.
Foutouhi Firouzabad, F. (2017). Strategic management of creating a dual network of drinking and non-drinking water in the city of Yazd using SWOT analysis, PhD thesis, Faculty of Natural Resources and Desertification, Yazd University.
Glaser, B., & Strauss, A. (1967). The Discovery of Grounded Theory: Strategies for Qualitative Research. Mill Valley, CA: Sociology Press.
Hatt, B. E. Deletic, A. Fletcher, T.D. (2006). Integrated treatment and recycling of stormwater: A review of Australian practice. Journal of Environmental Management, 79 : 102-113.
Hajilo, F. Ranjgar Qale Kandi, B. (1402). An exploration of social factors related to responsible water consumption in Iran, Environmental Studies, Natural Resources and Sustainable Development, 24, 10-1. https://www.magiran.com/p2662071.
Hajizadeh Meymandi, M. & Baharluoei, M. (2020). Social factors associated with water consumption (The case study: women in Isfahan). JAME PAZHUHIY FARHANGI, 11(2), 57-88. SID. https://sid.ir/paper/1060496/en.
Honarvar, H. aghayary hir, T. and abbaspour, A. (2023).  Water Consumption and Its Social Determinants (Case Study: citizens of Urmia). Journal of Economic & Developmental Sociology, 12(1), 277-294. doi: 10.22034/jeds.2023.54707.1701
Mandal, A. Dhaliwal,S.S. Mani, P.K. Toor, A.S.(2021). Conservation agricultural practices under organic farming, Chapter 2 - By book: Advances in Organic Farming Agronomic Soil Management Practices. Pp: 17-37.
Moazami Goudarzi, S., (2024), Investigation of water consumption behavior based on the theory of reasoned action (Shahinshahr case study), Fifth Iranian Congress of Water and Wastewater Science and Engineering, Isfahan, https://civilica.com/doc/2163487.
Madani. K. (2016).Water management in Iran: what is causing the looming crisis.Journal of Environmental Studies and Sciences, 4(4), 315–328.
Moosavi, S. F. Salehnia, N.Seifi, A. and AsgharpourMasouleh, A. (2021). Investigating the effects of advertising and forcing frugal behavior on water consumption with regard to social interactions of consumers. The Journal of Economic Policy, 13(25), 281-315. doi: 10.22034/epj.2021.15687.2156.
Morshedi, A. & Alinejad, M. (2021). Active adaptation of beehives in the economic ethics of the Yazidis, Yazd University Publications.
Nickerson , CH. (2023). Anomie Theory in Sociology: Definition & Examples, Simply Psychology, Published on September 22, 2023. https://www.simplypsychology.org/anomie.html.      
Okhravi, A. and Rayat, M. (2019). Identifying the Factors that Influence People's Participation in Optimal Water Consumption via Social Marketing Approach and Best Scenario Selection. Social Capital Management, 6(3), 395-419. Doi: 10.22059/jscm.2019.281473.1850.             
Shahbazin, S. Asgari Nodoshan, A. Abbasi Shawazi, M.J. (2018). The role of internal migration in   the redistribution of the population of Iran (1991-2016), Letter of the Iranian Demographic Association, 2 (6), 66-33. (In Persian).
Sixth Statement of the Third Water Thinking Center, Industry and Mining Sector, 2020: 2
Sheikh al-Islami, R. (2024. 6 October). Populism from the field of politics to the environment and climate change. Sharq Newspaper, pp. 6-7.
Szołdrowska, D. & Smol, M. (2025). The current state of water resources in Poland - possibilities of water reuse and management by the circular economy, Desalination and Water Treatment, 322, 101287
Third Statement of the Water Thinking Center, Water Consumption in the Agricultural Sector, 2018
UNESCAP. (2013). Website United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific. from:.http://www.unescap.org/pdd/prs/ProjectActivities/Ongoing/gg/governance.asp.
UNICEF, (2017). https://www.unicef.org/wca/press-releases/one-five-children-globally-does-not-have-enough-water-meet-their-everyday-needs.
Wang, H. Wang, T. Zhang, B. Li, F. Toure, B. Omosa, I.B. Chiramba, T. Abdel-Monem, M. & Pradhan, M.(2014). Water and Wastewater Treatment in Africa _ Current Practices and Challenges. Journal Clean_ Soil, Air, Water, 42 (8), 1029–1035.
Wickert, C. (2023). Concept of Anomie (Durkheim). Theories of Crime, Social Structure & Anomie.
Yaser, H. Shahbazi, M.A., Moussaei, M. (2023). Explaining the sociological model of water consumption management in the central watershed of Zanjan province, Environmental Science and Technology, 25(4), 41-25. https://www.magiran.com/p2620053.
Zare, B. ghaderi, S. koohi, M. moshiri, Z. (2018). Cultural and social explanation of the water consumption in    agriculture with emphasis on agricultural attitude measurement in Garmsar County. Quarterly Journal of Socio-Cultural Development Studies, 7 (2):9-37.
Journal of Society and the Environment
Volume 2, Issue 5
August 2025
Pages 83-119

Files

Share

How to cite

Statistics