Analysis of the functions of the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology in the national innovation system; A mixed research

The Ministry of Science, Research and Technology and its subordinate actors, as one of the crucial sub-systems in the national innovation system, play a vital role in the structure, functions, and performance of the national innovation system. In this regard, the current research was conducted with the aim of identifying and prioritizing the functions and sub-functions of the Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology in the national innovation system. In terms of methodology, this research is mixed research that has benefited from thematic analysis in the qualitative part and importance-performance analysis in the quantitative part. In the qualitative part, the review of international documents, laws and regulations, and upstream documents and the analysis of data related to focus groups with different stakeholders led to the preparation of a list of 60 sub-functions under the 7 main functions of the Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology. Then, to achieve the priority sub-functions of the Ministry of Science, Research, and Technology, the importance-performance questionnaire was sent to universities, research institutes, and science and technology parks, and 33 completed questionnaires were collected. Based on the importance-performance analysis, 40 sub-functions were selected as priority sub-functions (low performance and high importance) of the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology. Identifying the priority sub-functions of the Ministry of Science, Research and Technology can be a basis for a more accurate functional and performance analysis and formulation of policies and programs in order to strengthen the role of this Ministry in the national innovation system.