Designing an effective model Regarding the attractiveness of the export market of Iran's free zones (Case of study: Arvand Industrial Free Zone)

The purpose of this research was to provide a model that affects the attractiveness of the export market of Iran's free zones.

The research method is developmental-applicable in terms of purpose, and descriptive-survey in terms of analytical method. The statistical population included all of specialists and experts of Arvand Azad region (1000 persons). From this population 278 persons were selected as the research sample by stratified random sampling method. Data analysis was done in the qualitative part with the method of theme analysis based on 3-step coding. For this purpose, after studying the literature on the topic, the factors and components of the attractiveness of the export market were identified and prioritized. Finally, SEM in PLS software was used to measure the relationships.

The results showed that components of attractiveness include internal factors (informational factors, internal organizational characteristics, internal obstacles, contextual platforms and governmental factors), external factors (enhancement of competitive advantage, business environment factors, factors related to the industry and marketing, investment, political factors, strategies to enter international markets, economic performance, customer analysis, comprehensive support, persuasion and evaluation and analysis of international markets). The results of fuzzy hierarchical analysis also showed that the most important factors of attractiveness are: external and internal factors, respectively. The most important external factors of industry market attractiveness are: evaluation and analysis of international markets, customer analysis, economic performance, strategies for entering international markets, creation of competitive advantage, industry-related factors, business environment factors, investment, factors related to the marketing, political factors, procedural factors, comprehensive support and motivation and persuasion. The most important internal factors of attractiveness are: internal organizational characteristics, informational factors, contextual factors, governmental factors and internal obstacles of the organization. The results of quantitative analysis showed that the external and internal factors of the attractiveness of the industry market affect the attractiveness of the market. It has an effect on the export of Iran's free zones.

As a result, despite the relative advantages that are envisaged for production and export, managers can be going toward the dynamics of Iran's economic growth by knowing the needs of customers and the market and paying attention to the strengths and weaknesses of competitors.