The Effect of the Pollution Cost Internalization on Steel Industry Competitiveness (Case Study: Mobarakeh Steel Company)

One of the main concerns in recent years is business development and effective participation of firms in the global economy. However, in this regard balancing economic activities and environmental effects is ignored. The identification of various consequences of industrial activities is of importance in achieving sustainable development goals. The steel industry is a strategic but pollutant industry in the world. Therefore, it is necessary to evaluate strengths and weaknesses of steel industry such as its world competitiveness power, the amount and type of emissions and their social costs. The case study of this research is Mobarakeh steel Company. We use contingent valuation method (CVM) and domestic resources cost (DRC) index to answer the research questions. We collect data using the pre-designed questionnaires, Worldwide Websites of steel companies, the International Monetary Fund, Central Bank of Iran, Codal and Mobarakeh steel Company. The results of the calculations for 2013 and 2014 show that the hot and acid pickling products, cold products and coated products are of comparative advantages. Nevertheless, including pollution cost in DRC Index makes the hot and acid pickling products lose their comparative advantages.