MODELLING SECTORAL INNOVATION SYSTEMS FOR SUSTAINABILITY (CASE STUDY OF IRANIAN FOOD INDUSTRY COMPANIES)

Relevance. Currently, in the literature on the study of the regional dimension of innovation systems, special attention is paid to the dynamics of development of regions and territories, as well as the sustainability of these innovation systems. In this study, there is no predetermined framework such as theory or model to find the key factors affecting innovation systems for regional sustainability for Iranian food industry companies. The suggested framework is designed based on the data that has been collected in the course of the study from the literature and empirical sources (interviews with experts). This framework can be used as a tool for strategic planning and futures research by managers. The main goal of this research is to design a model of innovation systems to provide sustainability of regions for food companies in Iran. Therefore, we seek to identify and prioritize the factors affecting innovation systems for regional sustainability and to analyze concepts such as innovation systems on the example of regional sustainability for food companies. The authors aim to find out the factors affecting the increase and decrease of the sustainability of regions. Methods. Analysis method, synthesis, FUZZY, Delphi, FAHP. Results. The factors impacting sustainability of regional innovation systems in the food industry were identified after studying the literature and interviewing professors and experts in the field of marketing and applying the Delphi method. The priority and significance of each of these factors were evaluated using the fuzzy hierarchical analysis methods after designing and distributing the questionnaire among food industry experts. The results of the fuzzy hierarchical analysis additionally revealed that the most significant factors of innovation systems to keep the sustainability of regions for food industry companies are: individual factors, organizational factors, material factors, and environmental factors, respectively. The results of the fuzzy hierarchical analysis additionally explained that the most significant individual factors of innovation systems are: motivation, courage, perseverance and persistence, independence, control center, ambiguity tolerance, self-confidence, and risk-taking. Additionally, the most critical organizational factors of innovation systems are: human, structural and cultural resources, respectively. The most essential material factors of innovation systems are: heavy exit costs, fear of losing profits, reduction of investment incentives, and fear of being abandoned, respectively. The most important environmental factors of innovation systems are: technology complexity, attention to the customer, technology infrastructure, competitive atmosphere, suitable economic conditions, and organizational dynamics, respectively. According to the acquired validity and reliability, the extracted model of innovation systems for regional sustainability can be utilized in applied and practical research.