Internal Formation and Accumulation of Technological Capabilities in Complex Product Systems: Case Study of Iran’s Aerospace Industry

The significant progresses of Iran’s aerospace industry during last decades are undeniable. In spite of vast and international sanctions against Iran, these progresses were achieved through internal efforts. So, investigating the achievements of these industry can be used by other industries particularly defense industry. In this regard, this paper aims at examining the path of formation and accumulation of design and manufacturing technological capabilities of ballistic missiles in Iran’s aerospace industry as complex product systems, through applying qualitative approach and case study strategy. One of the industrial groups involved in aerospace industry was selected as a case and it was investigated through doing several interviews by its managers and specialists and studying some relevant and available documents. The identified path for formation and accumulation of technological capabilities in this group includes eight steps and four turning-points. The findings show that, in spite of some similarities with previous models of other industries and countries, there are some differences and distinctions in identified model in current research.