Identification and Prioritization of Factors Affecting Technological Foresight in the Iranian Saffron Packaging Industry
Abstract
In recent years, adherence to packaging standards in export products has become one of the main requirements of global trade. In this regard, the packaging industry, with its decisive role in preserving quality, safeguarding unique characteristics, and enhancing the added value of saffron, serves as a foundation for expanding domestic markets and ensuring sustainable presence in international markets. This study was conducted with the aim of identifying and prioritizing factors affecting technological foresight in the Iranian saffron packaging industry. The research is applied in nature, employs a descriptive–analytical method, and adopts a mixed (qualitative–quantitative) approach. In the qualitative phase, the statistical population consisted of academic experts and managers of saffron packaging companies (12 individuals), selected through purposive sampling until theoretical saturation was reached. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews based on theoretical foundations and analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis method in Atlas.ti software. The output included five organizing themes (drivers, strategic factors, consequences, current status, and desired status), 19 basic themes, and one overarching theme. The quantitative phase was carried out using interpretive structural modeling (ISM) and the ISM questionnaire on a population of 15 individuals from the same target group, selected purposively. Data were analyzed using MICMAC software; the results revealed that the identified factors were categorized into seven hierarchical levels, among which “modern technologies and smart packaging” were identified as the most critical factor, located at the highest level of influence.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Rahimbakhsh Parandoosh, Zahra Dashtlaali, Sayyed Mohammadreza Davoodi (Author)
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