Journal of Industrial and Systems Engineering

Journal of Industrial and Systems Engineering

Analysis of Sustainable Development in Iran’s Free Trade Zones Using a Mixed-Methods Approach and Model Validation

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors
Mohammad Hossein Ghiyasvand 1
Mehrdad Navabakhsh 2
Mohammad Ali Abdolvand 3
Farideh Haghshenas Kashani 4
1 PhD student, Business Management Department, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
2 Sociology Department, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
3 Business Management Department, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
4 Business Management Department, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
The aim of this study was to analyze sustainable development in Iran’s free trade zones using a mixed-methods approach and model validation. In terms of data type, the research employed a mixed approach (qualitative and quantitative), and in terms of purpose, it was developmental. The qualitative part of the study was conducted as a case study, while the quantitative part was designed as a survey. Research participants included managers of free trade zones, university professors specializing in free trade zone studies, experts, and professionals active in these zones. The qualitative sample was purposefully selected and reached theoretical saturation with 14 participants, while the quantitative sample consisted of 385 employees working in the free trade zones. Data analysis in the qualitative phase was performed using thematic analysis, whereas in the quantitative phase, confirmatory factor analysis and structural equation modeling were applied using SmartPLS software. The validity and reliability of the data were confirmed through multiple established methods. Based on the interview analysis, 362 codes were initially extracted during the open coding stage, which were reduced to 246 core codes after removing duplicates. These codes were ultimately categorized into 20 sub-themes and 4 main themes. The findings indicate that sustainable development in Iran’s free trade zones requires an integrated and coordinated approach across four dimensions: economic, social, environmental, and institutional.
Keywords
Sustainable development
Free trade zones
Mixed-methods analysis
Iran
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Journal of Industrial and Systems Engineering
Volume 17, Issue 1 - Serial Number 1
Winter 2025
Pages 233-255

  • Receive Date 01 January 2024
  • Revise Date 06 February 2024
  • Accept Date 05 March 2024