Clarifying the Role of Governance in the Development of IoT Technological Innovation System in Iran

The widespread use of IoT technology as one of the digital technologies following the Fourth Industrial Revolution will bring vital dependence on this technology to a very high level in the coming years. Despite the emergence of unique opportunities for social and industrial growth and development resulting from the use of this technology, if countries passively deal with it, they will face very serious threats such as violations of privacy, public safety and security etc. In this study, relying on a descriptive-survey approach in the historical analysis of the Internet of Things in Iran, over the last decade, explains the role of governance and the relationship between its functions in terms of making policy, regulation, facilitation, and service provision. In particular, key processes in the IoT innovation system, such as knowledge development and diffusion, entrepreneurial experimentations, resource mobilization, market formation, influence on the direction of research, legitimization, and development of positive externalities, have been considered. In this regard, the research findings after 21 in-depth interviews with representatives of the structural components of the IoT innovation system, including actors, institutions, networks, and developers of knowledge and products, are analyzed in three stages of open, axial and selective coding. The main result of this study is to explain that part of governance functions which affect the components and indexes of key processes in the IoT technological innovation system. The subject that opens new research horizon and remarkable literature for the following researchers, as well as brings practical solutions for technology development policy-makers at the national level.