Identifying and Prioritizing Key Success Factors in the Science and Technology Foresight in Iran

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Associate Professor, Department of Futures Study, Faculty of Social Science, Imam Khomeini International University, Qazvin, Iran.

2 PhD student, Department of Futures Study, Faculty of Social Science, Imam Khomeini International University, Qazvin, Iran.

3 Associate Professor, epartment of Futures Study, Faculty of Social Science, AJA University, Tehran, Iran.

4 Associate Professor, Department of Accounting, Faculty of Social Science, Imam Khomeini International University, Qazvin, Iran

Abstract

Objective: Science and technology foresight is a collaborative, time-consuming and complex process. These features have led governments to design and implement this process in most countries. Identifying and prioritizing key success factors in the foresight process can help better decision-making in designing and implementing foresight in the country and facilitates budget allocation and resource allocation. Therefore, this study aimed to identify and prioritize key factors for the success of science and technology foresight in Iran.



Methods: This study is an applied research from the point of view of purpose. The data were collected in two ways: library and field, and “network analysis” was used to prioritize the factors.



Results: The results of data network analysis showed that 41 key factors affect the success of science and technology foresight in Iran. According to the opinions of the experts, the following 10 factors with a final weight above 0.30 are more important: Establishing workshops in the early stages of the foresight process (0.338), focusing on soft technologies (0.332), forming foresight team (0.329), government requirement and support (0.321), enhancing technology intelligence (0.320), technology attraction alongside technology feasibility (0.317), emerging and interdisciplinary areas (0.313), regularly foresight activities (0.311), focusing on second and third class consequences (0.303), and initial design (0.301).



Conclusion: Special attention to the most important key factors that have the highest final weight in network analysis is recommended to decision makers and government managers responsible for science and technology foresight process in Iran.

Keywords

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Futures Studies Of The Islamic Revolution
Volume 4, Issue 2
Summer Quarterly
September 2023
Pages 11-40

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History

  • Receive Date: 01 July 2023
  • Revise Date: 24 July 2023
  • Accept Date: 19 August 2023
  • Publish Date: 21 September 2023

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