Prioritizing policy instruments for supporting new technology-based firms in Iran, using a fuzzy MCDM model

In recent years, new technology-based firms (NTBFs) have frequently been regarded by researchers and policy-makers, as important drivers of fast economic growth. In several countries, NTBFs have exhibited high rates of growth in employment, sales, exports and assets. The quality of jobs provided in NTBFs is also thought to be significantly better than of those in traditional activities. Another important role of NTBFs is technology diffusion within innovation networks. Their major contribution to technological development is through their role in the transfer of technologies from research institutes to industry. Because of the importance of these firms and for other reasons, including market failure, these firms need government support. In this research, we first focus on identifying suitable policy instruments for supporting NTBFs. We then prioritize policy instruments using a fuzzy MCDM model based on the opinions of different groups of experts. Finally we discuss policy issues in implementing these instruments.