Identifying and Ranking the Dimensions of Empowering Knowledge-Based Businesses Based on a Mixed Approach - DEMATEL

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Department of Management, Ilam Branch, Islamic Azad University, Ilam, Iran.

2 Department of Management, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran.

Abstract

Knowledge-based companies are considered effective tools for economic and social progress that can play a significant role in the optimal use of living, working, and production conditions, improving income levels, and improving the social status of society. Given the important position of this sector in the Iranian economy, from a theoretical perspective as well as its latent capabilities, identifying influential factors and methods for activating these potentials has become of particular importance. The present study is applied in terms of purpose and mixed (qualitative-quantitative) in terms of approach. The qualitative part of this research was conducted using theme analysis. The study population in the qualitative part included university professors and experts in the field of knowledge-based businesses in Ilam province, who were selected using purposive sampling until theoretical saturation was reached, 15 people. The statistical population of the quantitative section included all employees of knowledge-based businesses in Ilam province, 315 people, of which 173 people were selected using simple random sampling and Cochran's formula. To collect data in the qualitative section, a semi-structured interview was used, and in the quantitative section, a researcher-made questionnaire was used. Based on the findings of the qualitative section, 47 categories were identified and presented in the form of 4 categories (managerial, socio-cultural, personality, and educational factors). Based on the quantitative section, the greatest impact on the empowerment of knowledge-based businesses in Ilam province was related to the managerial factor, and the least impact among the four identified factors was related to the personality factor. Based on the results, it is recommended to review and utilize the management experiences of advanced and successful countries in the field of knowledge-based businesses.

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