Necessary Actions Chain to Achieve Sustainable Open R&D in Manufacturing SMEs

Today, manufacturing companies understand that due to the speed of technological change, sustainable development is the key tool for gaining a competitive advantage. The present study was conducted to study the necessary actions chain to achieve sustainable open R&D among manufacturing SMEs. Simultaneous attention to the concept of sustainability and open R&D is one of the innovations of the present research. First, the dimensions and components of sustainable open R&D are identified using Structural Equations Modeling and Fuzzy Delphi. The SODA technique was used to study the necessary actions chain in the second phase. Finally, the most important measures are identified using central and domain analysis. 15 components were identified in 6 dimensions in the first phase. The statistical sample size is 329 persons in Structural Equations Modeling and 15 persons in Fuzzy Delphi. Next, after studying the chain of necessary actions and analyzing it using domain and central analysis, 17 actions were identified as the most important measures, the most important of which are: creating information systems, availability of suppliers, meeting customer needs, environmental pollution, development of grand strategy. The most important action to achieve sustainable open R&D is creating information systems. These systems accelerate access to customers and suppliers. In addition, using renewable raw materials to participate in environmental friendly production programs through joint activities with universities and research institutes can reduce the harmful effects on the ecosystem.