The role of institutions in knowledge and technology transfer between Iran and neighboring countries

Sedaghat Kalmarzi, Haniyeh

doi:10.22059/jcountst.2025.388851.1226

The role of institutions in knowledge and technology transfer between Iran and neighboring countries

Document Type : Original

Author

Haniyeh Sedaghat Kalmarzi

Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Accounting, Razi University, Kermanshah, Iran. Visiting Researcher, Department of Economics, University of Bari Aldo Moro, Bari, Italy.

10.22059/jcountst.2025.388851.1226

Abstract

This study investigates the role of formal and informal institutions in facilitating knowledge and technology transfer between Iran and its neighboring countries. As a cornerstone of economic growth and development, knowledge and technology transfer fosters innovation, enhances productivity, and reduces reliance on raw materials. In this context, formal and informal institutions act as critical enablers of the process. However, institutional barriers such as weak intellectual property rights, inefficiencies in administrative systems, sanctions-related restrictions, and cultural challenges have impeded the establishment of a conducive ecosystem for regional technological collaboration. Using bibliometric analysis in R software and guided by institutional theory, this research examines these challenges and proposes actionable strategies. The findings emphasize the importance of strengthening social capital, developing intermediary institutions, enhancing research infrastructure, and designing innovative policies to promote effective knowledge and technology transfer. Additionally, the study underscores the pivotal role of strong linkages between formal and informal institutions in fostering regional and international collaboration.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Economics

حوزة موضوعی: ایران

Scope: Iran

References

Afesorgbor SK. (2019). “The impact of economic sanctions on international trade: How do threatened sanctions compare with imposed sanctions?”. European Journal of Political Economy. 56: 11-26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejpoleco.2018.06.002.

Aliasghar O, Rose EL, Asakawa K. (2022). “Sources of knowledge and process innovation: The moderating role of perceived competitive intensity”. International Business Review. 31(2), 101920.‏ https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ibusrev.2021.101920.

Al-Tabbaa O, Ankrah S. (2016). “Social capital to facilitate ‘engineered’ university–industry collaboration for technology transfer: A dynamic perspective”. Technological Forecasting and Social Change. 104: 1-15.‏ https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2015.11.027.

Baghban M, Sanaie A. (2024). “Explaining the science and technology diplomacy approaches of the Islamic Republic of Iran”. Science and Technology Policy Letters. 14(2): 44-58. https://dor.isc.ac/dor/20.1001.1.24767220.1403.14.2.3.4. [in Persian]

Battaglia D, Landoni P, Rizzitelli F. (2017). "Organizational structures for external growth of University Technology Transfer Offices: An explorative analysis". Technological Forecasting and Social Change. 123: 45-56.‏ https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2017.06.017.

Budur T, Abdullah H, Rashid CA, Demirer H. (2024). “The connection between knowledge management processes and sustainability at higher education institutions”. Journal of the Knowledge Economy. 1-34. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13132-023-01664-4.

Costantini V, Liberati P. (2014). “Technology transfer, institutions and development”. Technological Forecasting and Social Change. 88: 26-48.‏ https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2014.06.014.

Davis KE. (2005). “Regulation of technology transfer to developing countries: The relevance of institutional capacity”. Law & Policy. 27(1): 6-32. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9930.2004.00189_27_1.x.

Draganinska S, Wink R. (2005). “Interregional and international knowledge flows in medium technology sectors-The role of formal and informal institutions”.‏ https://hdl.handle.net/10419/117610.

Falvey RE, Foster N, Memedovic O. (2006). The Role of Intellectual Property Rights in Technology Transfer and Economic Growth: Theory and Evidence. Geneva: UNIDO.

Fang H, Yang Q, Wang J, Liu X. (2021). “Coupling coordination between technology transfer in universities and high‐tech industries development in China”. Complexity. 2021(1), 1809005.‏ https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/1809005.

Fischer B, Guerrero M, Guimón J, Schaeffer PR. (2021). “Knowledge transfer for frugal innovation: Where do entrepreneurial universities stand?”. Journal of Knowledge Management. 25(2): 360-379.‏ https://doi.org/10.1108/JKM-01-2020-0040.

Gaglio C, Kraemer-Mbula E, & Lorenz E. (2022). “The effects of digital transformation on innovation and productivity: Firm-level evidence of South African manufacturing micro and small enterprises”. Technological Forecasting and Social Change. 182, 121785.‏ https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2022.121785.

Geuna A, Muscio A. (2009). “The governance of university knowledge transfer: A critical review of the literature”. Minerva. 47: 93-114.‏ https://doi.org/10.1007/s11024-009-9118-2.

Grzegorczyk M. (2019). “The role of culture-moderated social capital in technology transfer–insights from Asia and America”. Technological Forecasting and Social Change. 143: 132-141.‏ https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2019.01.021.

Hodgson GM. (1998). “The approach of institutional economics”. Journal of Economic Literature. 36(1): 166-192.‏ https://www.jstor.org/stable/2564954.

Hosen M, Ogbeibu S, Giridharan B, Cham TH, Lim WM, Paul J. (2021). “Individual motivation and social media influence on student knowledge sharing and learning performance: Evidence from an emerging economy”. Computers & Education. 172: 104262.‏ https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2021.104262.

Hossein Qoli Zadeh R, Ebrahimi Koushk Mahdi S. (2015). “Identifying factors affecting knowledge transfer in the context of international academic collaborations: A case study”. Iranian Higher Education. 7(1): 67-86. http://ihej.ir/article-1-563-fa.html. [in Persian]

Jasinski AH. (2009). “Barriers for technology transfer: the case of a country in transition”. Journal of Technology Management in China. 4(2): 119-131.‏ https://doi.org/10.1108/17468770910964984.

Javadi S, Kheradmandnia S. (2022). An Analysis of Technology Transfer Challenges in Iran. Tehran: Islamic Parliament Research Center. https://sid.ir/paper/1047733/fa. [in Persian]

Krogh S. (2011). “Reform politics through the creation of inefficient political institutions: the case of the 2007 Danish administrative reform”. Scandinavian Political Studies. 34(4): 307-331. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9477.2011.00275.x.

Lee WC, Law SH. (2016). “The roles of formal and informal institutions on innovations activity”. Jurnal Ekonomi Malaysia. 50(2): 167-179.‏ http://dx.doi.org/10.17576/JEM-2016-5002-14.

Moghimi T, Arasteh H, Mohammadkhani K. (2017). “The role of the higher education system in advancing science and technology diplomacy (Case study: Khajeh Nasir al-Din Toosi University of Technology)”. Educational Management Innovations. 1(12): 37–54. https://www.sid.ir/paper/68084/fa. [in Persian]

Nadeem MA, Liu Z, Ali HS, Younis A, Bilal M, Xu Y. (2020). “Innovation and sustainable development: does aid and political instability impede innovation?”. Sage Open. 10(4): 2158244020973021.‏ https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244020973021.

North DC. (2016). “Institutions and economic theory”. The American Economist. 61(1): 72-76.‏ https://doi.org/10.1177/0569434516630194.

Osabutey EL, Croucher R. (2018). “Intermediate institutions and technology transfer in developing countries: The case of the construction industry in Ghana”. Technological Forecasting and Social Change. 128: 154-163. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2017.11.014.

Park WG, Lippoldt DC. (2008). Technology Transfer and the Economic Implications of the Strengthening of Intellectual Property Rights in Developing Countries. https://doi.org/10.1787/244764462745.

Ratna S, Saide S, Putri AM, Indrajit RE, Muwardi D. (2024). “Digital transformation in tourism and hospitality industry: a literature review of blockchain, financial technology, and knowledge management”. EuroMed Journal of Business. 19(1): 84-112. https://doi.org/10.1108/EMJB-04-2023-0118.

Scopus. (2025). January 1. https://www.scopus.com.

Skare M, Soriano DR. (2021). “How globalization is changing digital technology adoption: An international perspective”. Journal of Innovation & Knowledge. 6(4): 222-233. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jik.2021.04.001.

Solow RM. (1956). “A contribution to the theory of economic growth”. The Quarterly Journal of Economics. 70(1): 65-94.‏ https://doi.org/10.2307/1884513.

Tether BS, Tajar A. (2008). “Beyond industry-university links: Sourcing knowledge for innovation from consultants, private research organisations and the public science-base”. Research Policy. 37(6-7): 1079-1095. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.respol.2008.04.003.

Yang L, Maskus KE. (2009). “Intellectual property rights, technology transfer and exports in developing countries”. Journal of Development Economics. 90(2): 231-236.‏ https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdeveco.2008.11.003.