Designing an Export Development Model for Nano Products of Knowledge-based Companies Working in the Field of Construction Using a Qualitative Meta-Synthesis Approach

Entering export markets allows companies to make more income and take advantage of economies of scale. Benefits of entering international and export markets include accessibility to several different markets for product sales, resources, opportunities in global target markets, business development, etc. Currently, the main problem of developing countries is the dependence of their economy on the export of raw materials, which leads to adverse effects on various structures in the country. Hence, many of these countries have distanced themselves from single-product oil and focused on several non-oil fields for the diversification of their export. In this regard, non-oil exports compose one of the important and influential areas of a country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) through various channels. This issue is of great importance in the case of Iran because this country is constantly faced with the destructive effect of petroleum-based revenue instability as a result of international political and economic issues. Additionally, oil sanctions have mainly made problems for Iran since they have been influential on macroeconomic indicators due to their dependence on oil revenues. This study aims to investigate the dimensions and components of nano-product export development of knowledge-based companies in the construction industry. For this purpose, the results and findings of the previous research are systematically evaluated and analyzed through the qualitative research approach and meta-synthesis tools, including seven steps. The concept of export development of nano products of knowledge-based companies in the construction industry has been identified and classified into 6 dimensions, 17 components, and 97 indicators.

According to the problems in the specific characteristics, knowledge and technology improve the position of a country by using the production of new products. Therefore, it is clear that the innovative activities of innovative and knowledge-based businesses can be increased because the production of these businesses is done at a low cost and puts the country in a better competitive position than its commercial business competition. Today, the importance of non-oil exports, including the export of high-tech products (e.g. nano products) is not hidden from anyone. Looking at the studies, we can see that no research has been conducted to identify the factors affecting the development of the export of nanotechnology products for Iran, and only the effect of the factors affecting the total value of the export of high-tech products in different countries has been investigated. Also, in past studies, the discussion of nanotechnology products of the construction industry has not been discussed, while the current focus of the special Nano headquarters is on the export of products of this industry. As a result, considering the existence of research gaps, in this study, factors affecting the development of the export of nanotechnology products of knowledge-based companies in the construction industry in order to provide an export development model have been identified and the relevant model is designed and tested. Therefore, this study aims to design a model for the development of Nano products of knowledge-based companies active in the field of construction. 

For the purpose of the present study, a systematic evaluation of the results and findings of previous studies has been done using qualitative research and meta-composite tools that include seven steps. In this method, by searching the keywords of discovery, development, Nano products, knowledge-based companies, and construction industry in various databases, 2151 studies were found in the period 2003 to 2021 (1389 to 1399 AH). Of these, 1468 works in terms of the title, 429 works in terms of the abstract, and 199 works in terms of the text were not consistent with the purpose and questions of this research. Therefore, these works were left out and only 55 works that were in the field of nanomaterials development of knowledge-based companies active in the field of construction and were in line with the purpose and questions of the present research both in terms of title and content, were analyzed by meta-composite method. The presentation of the model was selected. 

In the end, according to the obtained results, a model or pattern can be designed, a framework can be presented, the results can be provided in a tabular format, or they can be presented in other creative forms according to the researcher's creativity. Of course, all these cases can be cited if the validity and reliability are measured and confirmed. After confirming the validity and reliability of the research, the results were presented in the form of the foundation's data theory model. By studying and carefully examining the finalized sources, the developed model of Nano products of knowledge-based companies in the construction industry in the form of 6 dimensions was provided. The dimensions include causal factors, background factors, intervening factors of social phenomena, strategies, and messages. Then, 17 components including 1) growth, 2) management factors, 3) effective factors in economic resources and facilities, 4) communication, 5) political-government factors, 6) social factors, 7) cultural factors, 8) organizational factors, 9) government laws and administrative system, 10) design, 11) financial and internal issues, 12) international strategies, 13) market building strategies, 14) all-round support strategies, 15) economic strategies, 16) economic and value creation, 17)  and economic consequences were presented. 

Qualitative research, with all its benefits, comes with weaknesses such as generalizability and validity. Therefore, in order to increase the generalizability of the present study, it is necessary for researchers to evaluate the above model in other high-risk industries. In addition, the quantitative approach of structured equations can be used to evaluate the validity of the model and develop the generalizability of the model findings. It is also recommended that researchers address the challenges of implementing the proposed framework. Regarding foreign direct investment, improving the country's business and competitive environment is recommended, both from the perspective of the macro-economic environment (improvement of macro-economic indicators such as reducing inflation, greater interaction with the outside world, etc.) and the micro-environment. Increasing the efficiency of institutions involved in the business environment, eliminating unnecessary processes, and reducing costs caused by administrative bureaucracy (processes) are necessary for the flow of foreign capital. It is also necessary to determine and provide facilities and strong commercial incentives and guarantees in order to attract foreign investment in the field of knowledge-based industries with nanotechnology.