Explaining Challenges of Iran’s Innovation Agencies and Providing Policy Recommendations

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Researcher at Sharif Policy Research Institute (SPRI), Sharif University of ‎Technology, Tehran, Iran‎

2 Faculty member at Sharif Policy Research Institute (SPRI); Sharif University of Technology

Abstract

The Vice-Presidency for Science and Technology has managed innovation agencies in Iran for two decades. It is now time to assess their deficiencies and obstacles in light of the experience of other countries in regards to innovation agencies and science, technology, and innovation councils. This qualitative study employed a literature analysis and semi-structured interviews with researchers, present and previous management of these agencies, and Iranian innovation funds. According to the findings, the responsibilities and efficacy of Iranian innovation agencies are not transparent, and they face a number of challenges, including resource limitation and scattering, unstructured mechanisms for resource mobilization, inappropriate and late prioritization of technologies, and a lack of clarity regarding responsibility boundaries with respect to other science and technology institutions. To address these issues, the paper suggests analysis, formation, and elimination of innovation agencies through the formation of an agile structure and upstream organization, providing proposals for innovation ecosystem development by the agencies, establishing multilateral agreements between each agency, the relevant ministry, and the Plan and Budget Organization, and introducing a typology for innovation agencies.

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Main Subjects

References

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Strategic Studies of public policy
Volume 12, Issue 45
March 2023
Pages 90-115

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