چكيده به لاتين
Public Procurement for Innovation (PPI) is recognized as a demand-side innovation policy and a strategic instrument for fostering innovation and industrial growth. However, localizing this policy in developing countries has encountered multiple challenges, as their primary mode of technology acquisition emphasizes learning mechanisms such as assembly, reverse engineering, and technology transfer rather than innovation development and R&D. The most significant challenges include lack of capabilities of domestic suppliers, dependency on foreign suppliers, and the imbalance between short-term efficiency goals and long-term objectives of technological capacity building. This dissertation focuses on the localization project of ten strategic product groups in Iranʹs oil industry and aims to provide a model for an innovative public procurement system based on endogenous technology transfer and supplier capability development, drawing on an in-depth analysis of local challenges. Using a qualitative research approach, this study collects data through interviews with policymakers, suppliers, and experts involved in this large-scale project. It employs thematic analysis to identify and examine managerial, political, structural, economic, and supplier-related challenges alongside the strengths of the initiative (general diagnostics). Subsequently, through action-design research methodology (ADR), the study identifies the core principles of a supplier capability assessment framework within public procurement. The challenges and advantages of implementing this evaluation framework are then analyzed. Building on the theoretical premise that creating domestic demand must be complemented by enabling response cycles from local suppliers—ensuring technological catch-up and industrial development rather than generating rent-seeking behaviors, corruption, and resource misallocation—an ambidextrous monitoring and evaluation system is proposed. This system aligns conventional procurement criteria with capability-building objectives, ensuring that in addition to evaluating product delivery commitments, supplier capability enhancement is continuously assessed and supported. Findings further indicate that knowledge intermediaries can act as institutional entrepreneurs and change agents within government agencies implementing PPI, which often lack the necessary competencies. Beyond traditional roles such as performers, brokers, technical experts, and trainers, these intermediaries can assume specialized functions in managing change, structuring procurement processes, and assessing suppliers. Moreover, the success of capability-building and localization-oriented PPI projects requires attention beyond evaluation frameworks, emphasizing key factors such as avoiding excessive demand aggregation, conducting comprehensive supplier capability assessments, ensuring financial sustainability, leveraging knowledge intermediaries, and linking payment mechanisms to capability evaluation. Effective interaction between public procurers and private suppliers, political commitment, command coherence, and clearly defined responsibilities also play a critical role in overcoming implementation challenges and achieving innovation-driven goals.
