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Dr Naser Ali Azimi, Dr Mojgan Samandar Ali Eshtehardi, Mrs. Elham Fakhremoosavi,
Volume 21, Issue 2 (6-2021)
Abstract

Today, paying attention to innovation in achieving economic growth and development is of great importance for researchers and policymakers. Thus, this study investigates the efficiency of the national innovation system of Iran in comparison with the countries subject to the 2046 Vision of Iran as well as China and South Korea (as two successful countries in technology catching-up policies). The study uses a two-stage Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) over the period 2011-2016. Moreover, a Tobit model is employed to study the impact of environmental factors on the efficiency of the national innovation system. Findings indicate that Iran's national innovation system is inefficient. Although the efficiency trend in the stage of creating inventions and originalities shows a positive slope, when it enters the commercialization stage, the system operates very weekly. To increase the efficiency of the national innovation system, improving the governance indicators and university-industry collaboration are among the most effective policies proposed in this research.
Dr Mahnaz Rabiei,
Volume 22, Issue 1 (3-2022)
Abstract

Today, information and communication technology (ICT) has affected human societies in all dimensions. Despite its significant effects on the economic, political and social development of societies, this technology also has adverse effects. Among these effects, we can mention the background of information and communication technology on social actions and conflicts. Accordingly, in this study, using Autoregressive Distributed Lag method the effect of information and communication technology and income distribution (Gini coefficient) on social unrest was investigated in Iran during the period 1984-2018. The Internal Conflict Index presented by the ICRG Political Risk Index was used as a proxy for social unrest. The results showed that information and communication technology and unfair income distribution significantly increases social unrest in Iran. As well as Inflation also significantly increases social unrest in Iran. However, GDP per capita has no significant effect on Iran's social unrest. Therefore, the policy of developing information and communication technology based on the internal Internet network, improving income distribution and curbing inflation in controlling Iran's social unrest seems necessary.
Mrs. Narges Heydari, Dr Reza Najarzadeh, Dr Hassan Heydari, Dr Kazem Yavari,
Volume 22, Issue 3 (9-2022)
Abstract

Regarding the importance of knowledge-based capital in the modern economy, this paper aims to measure this kind of capital in Iran’s manufacturing sector using the exploratory factor analysis method. Data include active firms in Iran’s manufacturing sector at the 2-digit ISIC level over the period 2002-2018. The results indicate the existence of a factor in the manufacturing firms with a positive and increasing trend of knowledge-based capital accumulation. The findings also show that the accumulation of this type of capital in Iran’s manufacturing sector is in the early stages of development and highly depends on the literate labor force.

Mrs. Susan Etemadinia, Dr Seyed Jamaledin Mohseni Zonouzi,
Volume 22, Issue 4 (12-2022)
Abstract

Introduction:
Technological innovation is one of the key indicators for economic growth and productivity. Recent studies show that R&D investment causes technological change. However, this relationship is not always obvious and seems to vary according to the level of economic development. A large number of studies on developed countries confirm the positive relationship between research and development, innovation and productivity. However, in developing countries, this relationship is not always clear. In this regard, in order to allocate an important share of national income to research and development, developing economies need to achieve a high and sustainable economic growth rate or create an economic development policy based on new innovation. This paper investigates the threshold effect of medium-high technology exports on total factor productivity in 50 developing and developed countries over the period 2007-2020.

Methodology:
For analyzing data, panel smooth transition regression (PSTR) model is used, which was presented and expanded by Gonzalez et al. (2005) and Colletaz & Hurlin (2006) and is very suitable for heterogeneous panel data. Thus, Medium-High Technology Exports index is chosen as the transition variable. Following the study of Hammar and Bellarebi (2021), the general model shows the relationship between the logarithm of total factor productivity, the logarithm of advanced and medium exports (transition variable), the logarithm of trade openness, and the logarithm of research and development expenditures.

Results and Discussion:
The results show a nonlinear relationship between the variables under study. Based on the necessary test results, considering only one transition function with a threshold value and two regimes is sufficient for nonlinear estimation of the model. Also, the logarithm of the value of the transition variable threshold is estimated about 3.0816 and the slope parameter is estimated about 6.4226. Research and development (R&D) expenditures and trade have negative significant effects on total factor productivity in the first regime on total factor productivity that this effect by crossing the threshold (Medium-High Technology Exports) effect for the variable of R&D expenditures becomes positive and insignificant. This result is consistent with the study of Sepherdoost and Afshari (2016). In addition, the results show that the influence of trade on total factor productivity is negative and significant, but its influence is lower than before, in the second regime. This result is consistent with the study of Lotfalipour et al. (2015)

Conclusion:
Considering the role of high and medium technology exports in the relationship between research and development expenditures and total factor productivity, it can be said that developing countries in the initial stages of growth can increase their productivity by increasing the export of high technology industries, to a level of specific development, despite the very high importance of research and development in the development of high-tech industries. Only a very small part of the country's resources is spent on research and development, and the weakness of the workforce has reduced the utilization of this small amount of domestic research and development investment. So, the low contribution of research and development expenses indicates that companies do not have much desire for innovative efforts and the creation of new technology transfer capacity as a stimulus for the quantitative and qualitative growth of industrial products. This action has caused them to not provide new products and services and reduce their competitiveness in domestic and foreign markets.
The most important policy recommendation is that the governments of developing countries should develop high and medium technology exports witch through their positive effects such as productivity growth, reduction of production costs, improvement of financial development and growth of innovation and technology, it is possible to achieve favorable economic growth and to improve the productivity of all factors. Also, the development of exports with advanced and medium technology and knowledge-based production will initially attract educated and specialized unemployed people, and with the improvement of management practices, the productivity of production factors and the level of technology will increase and lead to product innovation. Therefore, considering the importance of exporting with advanced and medium technology and knowledge-based production, it is suggested that the universities move towards the third generation university, in which case the chain of knowledge to technology will be completed in the university and the university will support the industries by developing the latest technologies. It is also suggested that in order to improve their competitiveness in the international arena and to advance their development goals, developing countries allocate a greater share of their income resources to research and development and create incentives for researchers in various economic sectors, especially in industries with technological capabilities, and move more towards the knowledge-based economy and the implementation of research policies based on innovation.


Dr Niloofar Moradhassel, Mr. Mri Saeed Kazempour,
Volume 23, Issue 1 (3-2023)
Abstract

Aim and Introduction
In recent decades, governments have taken an important step towards an information society, better service delivery, and improving the welfare of their society by developing e-government. The development of communication technology and e-government is considered an effective factor in economic growth and development and high labor productivity. The aim of this research is to investigate the role of e-government development on labor productivity in developing countries including Iran using the vector autoregression approach with panel data (P-VAR) over the period 2003-2020.
Methodology
Sims(1986) first used a vector autoregressive (VAR) model to analyze the dynamic relationships among multiple variables The model assumes that all variables are endogenous. This model uses the lags of all endogenous variables to test the dynamic relationships among all variables. Holtz-Eakin et al.(1998) extended the vector autoregressive model to make a perfect combination of panel data and time series models, making it a powerful analytical tool for macro-dynamics research. To examine renewable energy consumption, population aging, and agricultural green total factor productivity in the same framework, this paper constructs a PVAR model based on the traditional vector autoregressive model. A Panel vector autoregressive model(PVAR) includes the analysis of the Forecast Error Variance Decomposition– FEVD and the analysis of the Orthogonal Impulse Response Function – OIRF. Parameter estimation in the PVAR model is performed using the Generalized Method of Moments. For the stability of the regression equations, a polynomial matrix is used and a partial unit root test is performed for all variables based on the augmented Dickey-Fuller test.
Findings
The results of the study show that due to a positive shock in the development of e-government, labor productivity reacts strongly and positively, which indicates that the development of e-government, in the long run, can lead to increased labor productivity in developing countries. The results also show that in developing countries, the impact of health shock is greater than the impact of other variables such as physical capital formation shock and education variables.
Discussion and Conclusion
Today, the importance and impact of the development of new technologies such as artificial intelligence, the internet of things, and big data in different sectors are so great that this period is referred to as the age of communication. Entering this era and the development of electronic tools has changed the needs of people and societies. The aim of this research was to investigate the role of e-government development on labor productivity in developing countries. The results of the modeling show that the variables of health, physical capital, education, and e-government development are the main factors affecting labor productivity, respectively.
Also, the results of the research show that the response of labor productivity to the shocks of labor productivity itself was positive in the long term. This effect gradually decreases. Specifically, when a positive shock occurs in labor productivity, this situation is considered a signal for the labor force to continuously seek to improve its productivity. According to findings, the reaction of labor productivity to the positive shocks caused by the development of e-government has also been positive, which indicates that the development of e-government has a long-term effect on labor productivity and can lead to an increase in labor productivity in the long run.
According to findings,  in developing countries at the end of the 10th period, about ten percent of labor productivity changes are explained by e-government development shocksLabor productivity. As expected, the impact of the health shock on labor productivity is positive. Quantitatively, the effect of this shock is greater than the shock caused by education and physical capital, which shows the significant impact of health on labor productivity in developing countries. The reaction of labor productivity to the shocks of education is consistent with theoretical expectations. Also, according to expectations, physical capital has a significant effect on labor productivity in developing countries.
In general, it can be seen that in developing countries, any positive change in the development of e-government has an impact on labor productivity (based on the decomposition of impulse-response functions and the analysis of the variance of the forecast error). Also, the response of labor productivity to the changes in the field of health has been greater. Therefore, the authorities of developing countries should improve the productivity of the workforce, pay attention to the development of human capital and physical capital indicators, and implement and develop the e-government as best as possible.


Dr Saeed Dorokhshi Moghaddam, Dr Bahram Sahabi, Dr Hassan Heydari, Dr Sajad Barkhordari,
Volume 24, Issue 4 (12-2024)
Abstract

Aim and Introduction
The belief that innovation is a crucial factor in driving economic growth has led governments worldwide to increase investment in research and development (R&D). Many countries intervene in the R&D process of the private sector by utilizing policy tools such as tax credits, subsidies, direct financing, and research and development cost subsidies. Data shows a significant rise in the use of tax incentives in recent years. In Iran, there has been a particular interest in implementing tax exemptions for knowledge-based companies and providing tax credits for all firms.
Empirically, the existing literature in this field is still underdeveloped, particularly in the context of developing countries. This report aims to contribute to the existing knowledge by evaluating the impact of tax exemptions on R&D expenditures in Iran as a developing country.
Methodology
To assess the effect of tax exemptions, we are interested in the R&D intensity index, which represents the ratio of R&D expenditures to GDP at the national level and the ratio of R&D costs to company income at the company level. The variable in question is a ratio between 0 and 1, like many other economic variables such as participation rates, market shares, debt-to-finance ratios, etc. The limited nature of such variables - and in some cases the large and significant accumulation of data at one or both limits - leads to limitations in estimates and inferences, and its economic modeling should be done with special approaches. In particular, the usual use of linear models is not a very accurate and correct method because it does not guarantee that the values predicted by these estimates are in the range of 0 and 1. In recent years, this concern has led researchers to focus on functional forms resulting from such data and develop models called Fractional Regression Models (FRMs).
In the model, the dependent variable is the share of a company's current R&D costs relative to total costs, which serves as a proxy for R&D intensity. The explanatory variables include the following:
  • Researchers: The number of researchers in the company, logged.
  • Size: The sum of current and capital expenses of the company, used as an index of the size of the company in logarithmic form.
  • Avalibility of External Finance: For each company which used any financial resources rather than its internal resources, the value of this variable is 1, and in cases where the financing is completely internal, it is considered as 0.
  • The level of knowledge-based development (KBEDev): A variable based on previous studies, ranging from 1 (lowest level) to 3 (highest level).
  • Tax incentive: For those companies subject to this exemption, the variable amount is 1, and for the rest, it is 0.
  • Technology Intensity (Tech Level): According to the industry in which companies operate and using the categories used for technology leveling in the two leading organizations in this field, UNCTAD and OECD, number 3 represents the high level, number 2 represents the medium level, and number 1 represents the low level.
Findings
Using a fractional logistic regression approach on the data of 2,678 knowledge-based and industrial companies collected in 2020, the effects of tax exemptions for knowledge-based companies have been evaluated. The results of this article confirm the positive and significant effects of this exemption on research and development costs of companies. At the same time, it is indicated that, compared to other variables in the model, the presence of researchers, the level of knowledge-based development of the location of the company, and the opportunity for access to external financial resources have had a greater effect on the share of research and development expenses. However, these incentives have been more effective than the company's technology level. Additionally, the size of the company has a significant negative relationship with the interest ratio.
Discussion and Conclusion
While our study supports the use of tax incentives, it is crucial to consider the broader economic landscape. Our findings highlight the importance of human resources and external funding. To effectively support knowledge-based companies and to create a more R&D-intensive country, it is not enough to solely provide tax exemptions for firms. However, mechanisms must be in place to foster reaching much more qualified human resources and to a greater extent finance. Financial incentives should be utilized in a manner that minimizes costs and maximizes economic growth and productivity. Future research can explore how to optimize the use of these tools, offering valuable insights to policymakers


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