Iranian Association for Management of TechnologyJournal of Science and Technology Policy2008084019220260622Iranian Universities in the Post-War EraIranian Universities in the Post-War Era111418710.22034/jstp.2026.14187FASepehrGhazinooryProfessor of Information Technology Management, Tarbiat Modares University- Tehran - IranJournal Article20260617https://jstp.nrisp.ac.ir/article_14187_55c95b4e41874ee6fc3754278ae29e90.pdfIranian Association for Management of TechnologyJournal of Science and Technology Policy2008084019220260622Regulatory Approaches to Generative Artificial Intelligence Inventions: A Comparative Analysis and Lessons for Iran’s Legal SystemRegulatory Approaches to Generative Artificial Intelligence Inventions: A Comparative Analysis and Lessons for Iran’s Legal System1161418910.22034/jstp.2026.12199.1998FAEbrahimRahbariAssistant Professor of International Trade Law & Intellectual Property and Cyberspace Law Department, Faculty of Law, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, IranSeyed MustafaMeshkatStudent in International Trade and Investment Law, Faculty of Law, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, IranJournal Article20251224With the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) innovations and inventions — particularly generative systems — traditional patent regimes have been confronted with fundamental challenges in adapting their classical concepts, including clarifying the role of the human inventor, assessing novelty and inventive step, determining appropriate standards for technical disclosure, and ensuring legal certainty in the registration and protection of AI-based inventions. In this context, exclusive reliance on traditional intellectual property frameworks proves insufficient to address the dynamic nature of AI-driven innovation. This study employs an analytical-comparative methodology to examine various regulatory approaches to AI-related inventions and to assess the current state of Iran's legal system. The research encompasses a review of relevant literature, international policy instruments — including the 2023 OECD report — and an examination of laws and regulatory models in the European Union and other leading jurisdictions. The findings indicate that neither soft law nor hard law regulatory models, taken in isolation, are capable of fully addressing the legal challenges posed by AI-based inventions. By contrast, hybrid approaches — particularly those incorporating the regulatory sandbox as a policy-institutional tool within a hybrid-sectoral framework — offer a viable means of balancing innovation promotion, legal certainty, and technological risk management. Accordingly, this article proposes that Iran's legal system adopt a hybrid-sectoral model incorporating regulatory sandboxes, which — while avoiding hasty legislation — would enable the gradual testing and refinement of patent policies in the field of AI and enhance the legal system's responsiveness to technological developments.With the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence (AI) innovations and inventions — particularly generative systems — traditional patent regimes have been confronted with fundamental challenges in adapting their classical concepts, including clarifying the role of the human inventor, assessing novelty and inventive step, determining appropriate standards for technical disclosure, and ensuring legal certainty in the registration and protection of AI-based inventions. In this context, exclusive reliance on traditional intellectual property frameworks proves insufficient to address the dynamic nature of AI-driven innovation. This study employs an analytical-comparative methodology to examine various regulatory approaches to AI-related inventions and to assess the current state of Iran's legal system. The research encompasses a review of relevant literature, international policy instruments — including the 2023 OECD report — and an examination of laws and regulatory models in the European Union and other leading jurisdictions. The findings indicate that neither soft law nor hard law regulatory models, taken in isolation, are capable of fully addressing the legal challenges posed by AI-based inventions. By contrast, hybrid approaches — particularly those incorporating the regulatory sandbox as a policy-institutional tool within a hybrid-sectoral framework — offer a viable means of balancing innovation promotion, legal certainty, and technological risk management. Accordingly, this article proposes that Iran's legal system adopt a hybrid-sectoral model incorporating regulatory sandboxes, which — while avoiding hasty legislation — would enable the gradual testing and refinement of patent policies in the field of AI and enhance the legal system's responsiveness to technological developments.https://jstp.nrisp.ac.ir/article_14189_df8ccf878ca4e800a1a3ca67cd16231d.pdfIranian Association for Management of TechnologyJournal of Science and Technology Policy2008084019220260622A Maturity Model for Corporate Venture Capital (CVC)A Maturity Model for Corporate Venture Capital (CVC)17361419010.22034/jstp.2026.12254.2022FAAbolfazlBagheriAssistant Professor, Department of Technology and Innovation Policy, National Research Institute for Science Policy (NRISP), Tehran, IranMarziehShaverdiAssistant Professor, Department of STI Financing and Economics, National Research Institute for Science Policy (NRISP), Tehran, IranMehdiElyasiProfessor, Management and Accounting Faculty, Allameh Tabatabaei University, Tehran, Iran.Journal Article20260318In recent years, Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) has attracted the attention of large corporations and policymakers as an innovation financing arm. In Iran, with the approval of the “Guidelines and Statutes for the Establishment and Operation of CVC Research and Technology Funds” (2010) and the “Knowledge-Based Production Leap Law” (2022), the formation of these funds has experienced significant growth. However, the nature of this type of investment, which pursues both financial and strategic objectives simultaneously, presents conceptual and operational challenges for performance evaluation. The aim of this research, which was conducted using the Design Science Research Methodology (DSRM), is to develop a comprehensive performance evaluation model and design a maturity path for CVCs. In this regard, key dimensions of CVC performance were extracted through library research and document content analysis, and after reviewing excellence and maturity models, a multidimensional and five-level model of CVC maturity was designed and validated by holding an expert pabel. The research findings show that CVC performance is a function of organizational enablers including strategy, governance, structure, resources, investment processes, and ecosystem development which lead to the financial, innovation, and strategic outcomes. The main contribution of the research is the development of a multidimensional and maturity-based assessment model for CVCs by integrating financial, innovation, strategic, and organizational dimensions, This model enables the design of a maturity path for CVCs and can also serve as a basis for designing policy tools.In recent years, Corporate Venture Capital (CVC) has attracted the attention of large corporations and policymakers as an innovation financing arm. In Iran, with the approval of the “Guidelines and Statutes for the Establishment and Operation of CVC Research and Technology Funds” (2010) and the “Knowledge-Based Production Leap Law” (2022), the formation of these funds has experienced significant growth. However, the nature of this type of investment, which pursues both financial and strategic objectives simultaneously, presents conceptual and operational challenges for performance evaluation. The aim of this research, which was conducted using the Design Science Research Methodology (DSRM), is to develop a comprehensive performance evaluation model and design a maturity path for CVCs. In this regard, key dimensions of CVC performance were extracted through library research and document content analysis, and after reviewing excellence and maturity models, a multidimensional and five-level model of CVC maturity was designed and validated by holding an expert pabel. The research findings show that CVC performance is a function of organizational enablers including strategy, governance, structure, resources, investment processes, and ecosystem development which lead to the financial, innovation, and strategic outcomes. The main contribution of the research is the development of a multidimensional and maturity-based assessment model for CVCs by integrating financial, innovation, strategic, and organizational dimensions, This model enables the design of a maturity path for CVCs and can also serve as a basis for designing policy tools.https://jstp.nrisp.ac.ir/article_14190_439331dd87a02765f9db165c1cb226e9.pdfIranian Association for Management of TechnologyJournal of Science and Technology Policy2008084019220260622Why Does Academic Research Fail to Reach Society? A Mixed Analysis of Factors Affecting the Effectiveness of Academic ResearchWhy Does Academic Research Fail to Reach Society? A Mixed Analysis of Factors Affecting the Effectiveness of Academic Research37531419110.22034/jstp.2026.12263.2026FAMohammadEslahiPhD in Higher Education (Economics and Financial Management), Department of Educational Planning and Management, University of TehranAMIRShahsavariAssistant Professor of Higher Education, Department of Education, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Shahid Beheshti University, Tehran, IranJournal Article20260407A persistent question in society concerns how academic research can be directed toward addressing societal challenges. Accordingly, the study aimed to analyze the status of research performance indicators and dimensions of university research effectiveness, as well as to explain the factors influencing the effectiveness of university research at the University of Tehran. In this study, the quantitative assessment of effectiveness was conducted through performance and output indicators, while the institutional, interactive, and outcome dimensions of research effectiveness were explored in the qualitative phase. To this end, quantitative data were analyzed first, and the findings were deepened and elaborated through qualitative inquiry. The results of the first phase—estimating and describing the current level of university research effectiveness at the University of Tehran and comparing it with the objectives stated in national policy documents and the university’s Third Strategic Plan (2017–2021)—revealed that despite relative growth in certain research outputs, the overall level of research effectiveness remained below the desired condition and planned targets. The findings of the second phase—an exploratory qualitative examination of the institutional factors and mechanisms underlying the limited effectiveness of university research, based on the perspectives of 12 academic and executive experts—indicated that factors such as the absence of research governance, the prevalence of score-oriented academic practices, weak or nonexistent substantive demand for research, and the erosion of research human capital were among the institutional mechanisms contributing to this situation. The study demonstrated that a shift from the “measurement of scientific outputs” toward the “institutional explanation of research effectiveness” is a requirement in science evaluation studies. Such an approach can provide a basis for rethinking science policy and designing more balanced evaluation systems in which impact quality, societal engagement, and the sustainability of human capital are considered alongside the quantity of scientific productionA persistent question in society concerns how academic research can be directed toward addressing societal challenges. Accordingly, the study aimed to analyze the status of research performance indicators and dimensions of university research effectiveness, as well as to explain the factors influencing the effectiveness of university research at the University of Tehran. In this study, the quantitative assessment of effectiveness was conducted through performance and output indicators, while the institutional, interactive, and outcome dimensions of research effectiveness were explored in the qualitative phase. To this end, quantitative data were analyzed first, and the findings were deepened and elaborated through qualitative inquiry. The results of the first phase—estimating and describing the current level of university research effectiveness at the University of Tehran and comparing it with the objectives stated in national policy documents and the university’s Third Strategic Plan (2017–2021)—revealed that despite relative growth in certain research outputs, the overall level of research effectiveness remained below the desired condition and planned targets. The findings of the second phase—an exploratory qualitative examination of the institutional factors and mechanisms underlying the limited effectiveness of university research, based on the perspectives of 12 academic and executive experts—indicated that factors such as the absence of research governance, the prevalence of score-oriented academic practices, weak or nonexistent substantive demand for research, and the erosion of research human capital were among the institutional mechanisms contributing to this situation. The study demonstrated that a shift from the “measurement of scientific outputs” toward the “institutional explanation of research effectiveness” is a requirement in science evaluation studies. Such an approach can provide a basis for rethinking science policy and designing more balanced evaluation systems in which impact quality, societal engagement, and the sustainability of human capital are considered alongside the quantity of scientific productionhttps://jstp.nrisp.ac.ir/article_14191_196dce92bdd060e36bd9689c3981d4c5.pdfIranian Association for Management of TechnologyJournal of Science and Technology Policy2008084019220260622Reducing the Technological Gap in the Home Appliances Industry: Lessons Learned from the Catch-Up Experiences of Iranian FirmsReducing the Technological Gap in the Home Appliances Industry: Lessons Learned from the Catch-Up Experiences of Iranian Firms55741419210.22034/jstp.2026.12295.2044FAMajidJaliliAssociate Professor, Department of Domestic Business Studies, Institute for Trade Studies & Research (ITSR), Tehran, IranJournal Article20260503Technological catch-up, as a process of narrowing the gap with forerunners, is considered one of the pillars of international competitiveness in the industrial sector. This paper aims to develop a localized framework for technological catch-up by analyzing the successful experiences of Iranian firms in the home appliance industry over a five-year period. The present research is applied in orientation and exploratory in terms of objective. In the first step, through the analysis of financial statements and market share, seven top firms that had successfully introduced new high-tech products were purposefully selected. In the second step, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with managers and industry experts, as well as qualitative content analysis of firms' executive plans, leading to the extraction of 15 key factors affecting catch-up. In the third step, using confirmatory factor analysis based on 54 questionnaires, a structural equation model was developed to explain the relationships between latent and observed variables. The results show that success in technological catch-up results from the simultaneous interaction of four main dimensions: "technology regime" (including short development cycles, access to external knowledge, and reverse engineering), "institutional environment" (including supportive government interventions, import bans, and facilitation of university-industry linkages), "catch-up strategy" (including following the path of forerunners and taking advantage of windows of opportunity), and "firm-level capabilities" (including technological, innovative, and production capabilities). While consistent with international models, the obtained model highlights the more prominent role of institutional interventions and the specific contingencies of Iran's economy. Successful firms have followed the catch-up path in accordance with the reverse life-cycle pattern, moving from reverse engineering and gradual design toward new product development. The proposed four-dimensional framework provides implications for policymakers to design stage-based supports and strengthen firm-level capabilities.Technological catch-up, as a process of narrowing the gap with forerunners, is considered one of the pillars of international competitiveness in the industrial sector. This paper aims to develop a localized framework for technological catch-up by analyzing the successful experiences of Iranian firms in the home appliance industry over a five-year period. The present research is applied in orientation and exploratory in terms of objective. In the first step, through the analysis of financial statements and market share, seven top firms that had successfully introduced new high-tech products were purposefully selected. In the second step, data were collected through semi-structured interviews with managers and industry experts, as well as qualitative content analysis of firms' executive plans, leading to the extraction of 15 key factors affecting catch-up. In the third step, using confirmatory factor analysis based on 54 questionnaires, a structural equation model was developed to explain the relationships between latent and observed variables. The results show that success in technological catch-up results from the simultaneous interaction of four main dimensions: "technology regime" (including short development cycles, access to external knowledge, and reverse engineering), "institutional environment" (including supportive government interventions, import bans, and facilitation of university-industry linkages), "catch-up strategy" (including following the path of forerunners and taking advantage of windows of opportunity), and "firm-level capabilities" (including technological, innovative, and production capabilities). While consistent with international models, the obtained model highlights the more prominent role of institutional interventions and the specific contingencies of Iran's economy. Successful firms have followed the catch-up path in accordance with the reverse life-cycle pattern, moving from reverse engineering and gradual design toward new product development. The proposed four-dimensional framework provides implications for policymakers to design stage-based supports and strengthen firm-level capabilities.https://jstp.nrisp.ac.ir/article_14192_671a2ab0ee353e3c69a94e5570586d7d.pdfIranian Association for Management of TechnologyJournal of Science and Technology Policy2008084019220260622Investigating the Impact of the Business Environment on the Dimensions of the Innovation Valley of Death; A Case Study of Startups at the Isfahan Science and Technology TownInvestigating the Impact of the Business Environment on the Dimensions of the Innovation Valley of Death; A Case Study of Startups at the Isfahan Science and Technology Town55761419610.22034/jstp.2026.12276.2034FAHosseinFakhariPhD student in Entrepreneurship, Faculty of Entrepreneurship, University of Tehran,Tehran, IranAliDavariAssociate Professor, Faculty of Entrepreneurship, University of Tehran, ,Tehran, IranKambizTalebiProfessor, Faculty of Entrepreneurship, University of Tehran,Tehran, IranNargesImanipourProfessor, Faculty of Entrepreneurship, University of Tehran,Tehran, IranJournal Article20260423The innovation valley of death represents a critical bottleneck in the transformation of novel ideas into marketable innovations, particularly for small and early-stage firms. Policymakers within national innovation systems aim to mitigate these challenges through targeted interventions; however, the role of the business environment remains pivotal. This study investigates how various dimensions of a country’s business environment influence the challenges associated with the innovation valley of death. Adopting an exploratory and applied approach, this qualitative research employs a multiple case study design involving eight successful and unsuccessful innovative firms. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis in conjunction with the “railway model” of the innovation valley of death. The rigor of the analysis was ensured using the criteria proposed by Guba and Lincoln. The findings identify 18 key factors within the national business environment that exert both facilitating and constraining effects on different stages of the innovation valley of death. These factors are synthesized into a force field model. The results indicate that existing policies are relatively effective in addressing challenges during the early (research and laboratory) stages. However, as firms transition toward semi-industrial, industrial, and commercialization phases, structural deficiencies in the business environment become more pronounced, exacerbating the challenges faced by innovators. The study concludes that substantial policy reforms are required to improve the business environment and support firms in successfully navigating the later stages of the innovation valley of deathThe innovation valley of death represents a critical bottleneck in the transformation of novel ideas into marketable innovations, particularly for small and early-stage firms. Policymakers within national innovation systems aim to mitigate these challenges through targeted interventions; however, the role of the business environment remains pivotal. This study investigates how various dimensions of a country’s business environment influence the challenges associated with the innovation valley of death. Adopting an exploratory and applied approach, this qualitative research employs a multiple case study design involving eight successful and unsuccessful innovative firms. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and analyzed using thematic analysis in conjunction with the “railway model” of the innovation valley of death. The rigor of the analysis was ensured using the criteria proposed by Guba and Lincoln. The findings identify 18 key factors within the national business environment that exert both facilitating and constraining effects on different stages of the innovation valley of death. These factors are synthesized into a force field model. The results indicate that existing policies are relatively effective in addressing challenges during the early (research and laboratory) stages. However, as firms transition toward semi-industrial, industrial, and commercialization phases, structural deficiencies in the business environment become more pronounced, exacerbating the challenges faced by innovators. The study concludes that substantial policy reforms are required to improve the business environment and support firms in successfully navigating the later stages of the innovation valley of deathhttps://jstp.nrisp.ac.ir/article_14196_6d16a31518f97cef33daf3f1b5d93348.pdfIranian Association for Management of TechnologyJournal of Science and Technology Policy2008084019220260622Research and Innovation Policy Design in Iran: Policies, Institutions, and Interest MediationResearch and Innovation Policy Design in Iran: Policies, Institutions, and Interest Mediation971181419710.22034/jstp.2026.12354.2063FAMeysamNarimaniAssistant Professor, Technology Studies Institute, Tehran, IranSeyedaliFatemiAssistant Professor, Secretariat of the Supreme Council of the Cultural Revolution, Tehran, IranSeyed MohammadSahebkar KhorasaniAssistant Prof., Mechanical Engineering, Technology Studies Institute, Tehran, IranJournal Article20260619 <br />The governance of research and innovation represents a complex network of government, universities, firms and RTOs that has undergone significant conceptual and practical transformations during recent decade. Drawing upon Acciai’s framework, which comprises political orientation, institutional coordination, and interest intermediation, this article examines Iran’s research and innovation policy design. Subsequently, it analyzes key policy instruments based on authority, instrument shapes, and delivery. Findings indicate that Iran’s research and innovation governance has evolved into a central driver of development. Nevertheless, a diffusion-oriented pattern, focusing on resource distribution, infrastructure development, and horizontal support, prevails over the mission-oriented pattern. This pattern is manifested in the interactions of the Ministries of Science, Research and Technology and Health and Medical Education with universities, alongside the Vice-Presidency of Science, Technology and Knowledge-based Ecnomoy support for knowledge-based companies. Despite acknowledging the necessity of transitioning toward a mission-oriented approach at discursive and structural levels, implementation efforts have largely yielded limited results, except priority technologies and leading firms. This failure primarily stems from path dependency of institutions, a lack of requisite capacity to implement the mission-oriented model, and challenges within the institutional coordination framework under the external specialization pattern governing Iran. Ultimately, Iran’s experience demonstrates that in developing countries, the imperative of a mission-oriented approach juxtaposed with the institutional feasibility of its realization manifests as a paradox within the research and innovation policy environment. <br />The governance of research and innovation represents a complex network of government, universities, firms and RTOs that has undergone significant conceptual and practical transformations during recent decade. Drawing upon Acciai’s framework, which comprises political orientation, institutional coordination, and interest intermediation, this article examines Iran’s research and innovation policy design. Subsequently, it analyzes key policy instruments based on authority, instrument shapes, and delivery. Findings indicate that Iran’s research and innovation governance has evolved into a central driver of development. Nevertheless, a diffusion-oriented pattern, focusing on resource distribution, infrastructure development, and horizontal support, prevails over the mission-oriented pattern. This pattern is manifested in the interactions of the Ministries of Science, Research and Technology and Health and Medical Education with universities, alongside the Vice-Presidency of Science, Technology and Knowledge-based Ecnomoy support for knowledge-based companies. Despite acknowledging the necessity of transitioning toward a mission-oriented approach at discursive and structural levels, implementation efforts have largely yielded limited results, except priority technologies and leading firms. This failure primarily stems from path dependency of institutions, a lack of requisite capacity to implement the mission-oriented model, and challenges within the institutional coordination framework under the external specialization pattern governing Iran. Ultimately, Iran’s experience demonstrates that in developing countries, the imperative of a mission-oriented approach juxtaposed with the institutional feasibility of its realization manifests as a paradox within the research and innovation policy environment.https://jstp.nrisp.ac.ir/article_14197_0e7aaf85f123af8e5a8f5db62273224e.pdf