Document Type : Research Paper
Authors
1
Professor, Department of Sociology, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
2
Assistant Professor, Department of Sociology, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
3
PhD Student, Sociology, Shahid Chamran University of Ahvaz, Ahvaz, Iran
10.22111/innoeco.2026.51378.1171
Abstract
This research aims to investigate the main economic challenges and obstacles facing the development of knowledge-based companies in Khuzestan Province. For this purpose, the Grounded Theory method was employed to gain a deep understanding. The statistical population included scientific experts and academic specialists knowledgeable in the field of knowledge-based companies and entrepreneurship, with 44 individuals selected as the sample size to achieve theoretical saturation. The model extracted from the Grounded Theory method revealed that the causal conditions related to the economic concerns and challenges of knowledge-based companies include: 1) The inward-looking and isolationist nature of Iran’s economy, 2) Economic prosperity as a prerequisite for company growth, 3) The adversities of economic sanctions on the country, 4) The necessity of establishing stability in the national economy, 5) Company losses due to delayed payments, 6) Lack of working capital, 7) Absence of venture capital, and 8) The lack of marketing strategies in Khuzestan. Additionally, the most significant categories related to the consequences of this situation include: 1) Technological innovations of knowledge-based companies, 2) The decline of creative companies into service-oriented ones, and 3) The erosion of companies’ ability to adapt to their environment. The strategies to address economic challenges include: 1) The existence of unused government centers in cities, 2) Defining various income plans, 3) Non-loan financing, and 4) Developing demand-driven products.
Keywords
)