Investigating the Factors Influencing the Economic Lifestyle of Guilds and Their Reluctance to Pay Municipal Fees: A Study from the Perspective of Employees and Guilds in District 8 of Tabriz Metropolis

Document Type : Original Research

Authors

1 Associate Professor, Department of Geography and Urban Planning, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran.

2 Master's degree graduate in Social Communications, Tabriz Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tabriz, Iran.

Abstract

Lifestyle highlights behavioral distinctions among individuals within groups or society. Conversely, municipal fee collection from citizens in exchange for services constitutes a stable income source for local governments. This study therefore examines reasons behind guilds' reluctance to pay municipal fees from employee and guild perspectives. The applied, cross-sectional research employed a field survey method. Data were collected using a researcher-designed questionnaire validated through specialists' face validity, with reliability verified by Cronbach's alpha. The statistical population comprised municipal experts (37 purposively sampled) and District 8 guild members (14,186). Cochran's formula determined an accessible sample of 374 guilds. Beta coefficients identified significant predictors of payment reluctance: media use (β = -0.277), fee bill issuance/distribution (β = -0.220), satisfaction (β = -0.172), deterrent enforcement (β = -0.150), effective media culture/advertising (β = -0.134), and legal adherence (β = -0.125). Institutional trust showed no significant impact. Pearson correlation revealed a significant negative relationship between payment reluctance and effective media culture/advertising (p<0.05), indicating reduced reluctance with improved media outreach.

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