The Assessment of International Sanctions on Photovoltaic Innovation System of Iran

The sanctions against Iran have affected the country in many respects, but most of the assessments carried out so far have been in the field of trade and economics and a few studies have examined the impact of sanctions on science and technology. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of international sanctions on the development of the photovoltaic technological innovation system in Iran. The evaluation framework of this paper is innovatively based on the theories of internationalization of the technological innovation system. 32 respondents answered the questionnaire and then semi-structured interviews were conducted with 5 experts. The results of the evaluation show that international sanctions have significant effects on most of the functions of the photovoltaic innovation system. The "resource mobilization" function has been weakened more than other functions due to sanctions. Also in "research guidance" function, international sanctions have led to a narrower attitude to the transnational dimension and the global integration and coordination are not considered in fulfilment of functions and there is no look at the status of the country in the global value chain.