Abstract
The present study seeks to examine the impact of innovative and focused programs on the development of sustainable exports and to test them in Iran's aquaculture industry. The research on Iran's aquaculture industry has been carried out using a mixed (qualitative-quantitative) method, and 46 exporting companies and eight university professors related to the mentioned industry have been studied. Interviews and questionnaires were used to collect data and were analyzed using the thematic analysis method, the fuzzy Delphi technique, structural-interpretive modeling, and the partial least squares technique. The research findings show that Iran's aquaculture industry needs empowerment to successfully implement innovation-oriented programs. Also, in order to successfully implement innovative programs, it is necessary to create the necessary infrastructure for this matter and align the structure of the organization with innovative strategies. The research findings also led to the presentation of a new model of the need for comprehensive preparation of firms for the implementation of innovative programs by introducing new levels of organizational readiness.
1. INTRODUCTION
In today’s highly competitive global markets, export development is no longer determined solely by production capacity or access to natural resources; rather, it increasingly depends on firms’ ability to innovate, adapt organizational capabilities, and create sustainable competitive advantages. From resource-based and dynamic capability perspectives, innovation-oriented strategies are recognized as critical mechanisms that enable firms to respond effectively to technological changes, market uncertainties, and evolving customer requirements. Particularly in export-oriented industries, innovation capability facilitates product differentiation, improves market responsiveness, strengthens value creation processes, and enhances long-term international competitiveness. The
aquaculture industry represents one of the strategic sectors for economic development, food security, employment generation, and international trade. Iran possesses considerable potential in aquatic production due to its geographical advantages, marine resources, and growing domestic capabilities. However, despite these advantages, the sustainable export performance of Iranian aquaculture firms remains constrained by several challenges, including limited innovation capacity, weak commercialization mechanisms, insufficient technological infrastructure, fragmented organizational capabilities, and inadequate alignment between innovation strategies and export objectives. Therefore, achieving sustainable export development requires more than increasing production volume; it requires the establishment of innovation-oriented organizational readiness and strategic capabilities. Previous studies have mainly examined export performance through market orientation, competitive strategies, or technological innovation separately, while limited attention has been paid to the organizational preparedness required for implementing innovation-driven export strategies, especially in emerging economies and resource-based industries. Accordingly, the present study aims to identify and explain the dimensions of innovation-oriented programs affecting sustainable export development and to develop an organizational readiness model for implementing innovation-based export strategies in Iran’s aquaculture industry.
2. MATERIALS AND METHODS
This study employed a mixed-method research design consisting of qualitative and quantitative phases. In the qualitative phase, semi-structured interviews were conducted with eight academic experts and specialists in the aquaculture industry to identify the main dimensions, components, and mechanisms associated with innovation-oriented export development. The collected qualitative data were analyzed using thematic analysis to extract conceptual categories and develop the initial research framework. In the quantitative phase, data were collected from 46 exporting firms operating in Iran’s aquaculture industry. The identified constructs were evaluated through a structured questionnaire. The relationships among the extracted components were analyzed using structural equation modeling based on the partial least squares approach. In addition, the fuzzy Delphi technique was applied to validate and refine the identified factors, while interpretive structural modeling was used to determine the hierarchical relationships among the dimensions of innovation readiness. To ensure methodological rigor, validity and reliability assessments were conducted through expert evaluation, content validity analysis, measurement model evaluation, and reliability coefficients. The integration of qualitative findings and quantitative validation provided a comprehensive framework for explaining how firms can prepare themselves for innovation-oriented export strategies.
3. RESULTS
The findings revealed that sustainable export development in Iran’s aquaculture industry depends on the establishment of comprehensive organizational readiness for innovation implementation. The thematic analysis identified three fundamental levels of readiness: basic readiness, comprehensive readiness, and targeted readiness. Basic readiness represents the initial organizational requirements, including technological infrastructure, knowledge resources, and human capabilities necessary for initiating innovation activities. Comprehensive readiness reflects organizational alignment, strategic coordination, managerial commitment, and internal capabilities required for integrating innovation into organizational processes. Targeted readiness represents the advanced capability of firms to strategically utilize innovation for export expansion, market adaptation, and sustainable competitive positioning. The structural analysis demonstrated that innovation-oriented programs positively influence sustainable export development when firms possess the necessary internal capabilities and supportive organizational conditions. The results indicate that technological infrastructure, organizational alignment, knowledge management, innovation culture, and strategic orientation act as critical enabling factors for successful innovation implementation. The findings further suggest that innovation should not be considered an isolated activity limited to research and development functions; instead, it should be embedded within the overall strategic architecture of exporting firms. Firms seeking sustainable export growth must simultaneously develop technological capabilities, managerial competencies, market intelligence systems, and organizational flexibility. This perspective is consistent with dynamic capability theory, which emphasizes firms’ abilities to sense opportunities, transform resources, and continuously adapt to environmental changes.
4. DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION
The proposed model contributes to the literature by explaining the transition from fragmented innovation activities toward an integrated innovation readiness framework. Unlike traditional approaches that focus mainly on innovation outputs, this study highlights the importance of organizational preparedness as a prerequisite for transforming innovation investments into sustainable export outcomes. This study demonstrates that the main challenge of sustainable export development in Iran’s aquaculture industry is not merely the lack of production capacity but the insufficient organizational readiness required to implement innovation-oriented strategies effectively. The developed model indicates that successful export-oriented innovation requires the simultaneous development of technological infrastructure, organizational capabilities, strategic alignment, knowledge management, and market-oriented innovation processes. From a managerial perspective, aquaculture exporting firms should move beyond traditional production-based strategies and adopt integrated innovation management approaches. Policymakers should also support firms by strengthening innovation ecosystems, improving technological infrastructure, facilitating knowledge transfer, and encouraging collaboration between industry and academic institutions. The proposed framework provides both theoretical and practical implications for managers, policymakers, and researchers seeking to enhance sustainable export competitiveness in emerging industries. Future studies may validate the model in other export-oriented sectors and examine the effects of specific innovation capabilities on international market performance using longitudinal research designs.