National Innovation System of IRAN

National Innovation System of Iran

A case for the policy of supporting knowledge-based companies

In Iran, ‘knowledge-based technology companies’ have been the driver of economic development in the past half-century and their support has become one of the main foci of Iranian national technology and innovation policies.

Considering the positive social and economic impact and due to the challenges in the growth path of these new technology companies, Iranian government had evolved various support policies in this field. Thus, evaluating the contribution of these policies in improving the performance of knowledge-based companies has become a necessity.

Iran started developing a coherent policy package to support private technology companies, after about three decades of development of its Science, Technology and Innovation policy system. Since 2013, policies have been implemented for supporting new technology companies under the title of “knowledge-based companies”. However, the goals and criteria for achieving the desired outcomes were not defined in precise and measurable terms. Hence, there are no clear indicators to evaluate the policies under this law.

A comparison of differential success across sectors points to the necessity of prioritizing vertical rather than horizontal policies. For example, companies specialized in producing highly advanced products have a higher probability of transitioning to the growth stage compared to those with less advanced products. So the policies that have the most impact should be analyzed alongside the sectors that are most effective.

CRIS-IS.ORG in association with the Tehran Science and Research University proposes to hold a panel-discussion on the Iranian National Innovation System, with a special focus on policy initiatives focusing knowledge-based companies. This panel will take stock of the Iranian NIS, review its performance and invite international opinion towards useful policy directives.

Panelists

Reza Asadifard: Assistant Professor in Technology Studies Institute. Deputy for Development of Knowledge-based Companies, Vice Presidency for Science, Technology and Knowledge-based Economy.

Ebrahim Soozanchi: Assistant Professor in Sharif Univerity of technology.

Kamran Bagheri: Co-founder and the CEO of SMILINNO Innovation Hub, a tech startup focused on designing joyful Physical Experiences.

Bengt-Åke Lundvall : Professor Lundvall is professor emeritus in economics at Department of Business and Management at Aalborg University

Facilitator: Dr Maryam Nozari: Lecturer at Tehran Science and Research University and Commercialization and market develop manager at IRADCO