A Study on Scientific-Technical Cooperation Environment of Nanotech Companies in Iran Using Social Network Analysis and Expert Judgment

Salehi Yazdi, Fatemeh; Sepehri, Mohammad Mehdi; Bahreini, Mohammad Ali

A Study on Scientific-Technical Cooperation Environment of Nanotech Companies in Iran Using Social Network Analysis and Expert Judgment

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Abstract

This study clarifies the scientific-technical cooperation environment of Iranian Nanotech companies via quantitative investigation of the relationships among companies and scientific and research centers and analysis of their current situation. There are limited information and statistics available about high-tech firms in developing countries like Iran. Therefore, conducting such research is necessary for optimal decision and policy making in this field. In this article, research and development cooperation network of Nanotech firms in Iran has been studied using social network analysis and expert judgment method. Data has been collected through interviews with managers of twenty-four Nanotech companies and their relationships with other organizations have been extracted. Then, the network map and prominent actors were identified. Results of the study show that 95% of cooperations were of the type of providing services and the remaining were strategic alliances. It was also revealed that Nanotech companies have little cooperation with industrial groups and prefer to provide products for end-usres over positioning themselves in the value chain of other industries. This study presents a proper image of research and development cooperation network of companies for policy makers and businesses and recommends strengthening and development of strategic alliances in order to enhance the overall efficiency of the network.

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