Proposing a Technology Development Model Based on Strategic Alliance with a Mixed-Methods Approach in Iran’s Automotive Industry

Abstract

The present study was conducted with the aim of proposing a technology development model based on strategic alliance with a mixed-methods approach in Iran's automotive industry. The research methodology followed an exploratory mixed-methods design. Participants in the qualitative phase included 17 experts selected through purposive sampling, comprising professionals in the Iranian automotive industry and university professors with academic and research backgrounds in technology within strategic management. The statistical population for the quantitative phase, which involved fuzzy Delphi to screen dimensions, components, and indicators of the study and determine their significance, consisted of 18 selected experts. Additionally, the broader quantitative phase involved specialists and experts in the Iranian automotive industry, from which a random sample of 283 individuals was selected using simple random sampling. The research instruments included a semi-structured interview for the qualitative phase and a researcher-developed questionnaire based on the qualitative findings for the quantitative phase. For data analysis, the qualitative data were analyzed using the grounded theory method with a systematic approach as proposed by Strauss and Corbin (1998), supported by MAXQDA software. For the quantitative phase, fuzzy Delphi, confirmatory factor analysis, structural equation modeling, and best-worst method were applied using SPSS, SmartPLS, and LINGO software. A total of 203 initial open codes were extracted. After removing duplicates and merging similar codes, 78 final open codes were identified. From the interview text analysis, 14 axial codes under 6 selective codes were obtained. Based on the fuzzy Delphi results, all components of the technology development model based on strategic alliance in Iran’s automotive industry were deemed significant and accepted by the experts involved in the study. In the next stage, using path analysis techniques, it was revealed that all path coefficients were greater than 1.96, and the resulting significance levels were below 0.05 and even 0.01, thereby confirming all hypothesized relationships. The prioritization of the indicators of the technology development model based on strategic alliance in Iran’s automotive industry was conducted using the best-worst method through LINGO statistical software. The results indicated that these indicators significantly differed from one another. Among the indicators, "focus on innovation and advanced technologies" (0.191) ranked first, while "strengthening the position of domestic brands in the market" (0.029) and "expanding market scope and entering new markets" (0.022) ranked thirteenth and fourteenth, respectively. The findings demonstrated that the development of advanced technologies such as electric vehicles, autonomous vehicles, and connectivity is essential for competing in the global market and maintaining environmental sustainability. Strategic alliances in these areas can accelerate the development of these technologies through resource synergy and increased efficiency.