نجمه سادات خواجه وندی

This study aimed to investigate the performance of the research and development sector to overcome the raw material shortage and technological backwardness in the Iranian economy. Evaluation of the Leontief model and analysis of DVA, VS, and import-to-standard ratios show that the country's production structures have significant heterogeneity in terms of endogeneity, technological dependence, and domestic value addition. The results showed that these sectors, with an average DVA of over ۷۰% and an import share of less than ۲۵%, have the highest level of self-reliance and linkage with domestic resources, and have high sustainable employment capacity. The VS/TE index of around ۰.۶۵ indicates a significant reliance on foreign technology and raw materials, which highlights the need for technology localization and domestic R&D development. Despite the high share of exports, domestic value added is low; however, the development of downstream processing industries and indigenous extraction technologies can increase DVA by about ۴۰%. A ۱۰-۱۵% reduction in intermediate imports, along with increased R&D investment, has the greatest impact on increasing DVA and reducing technological dependence in the chemical industry. Every ۱% increase in the share of R&D in GDP leads to an average of ۰.۸% growth in DVA, indicating a direct link between R&D and strengthening the knowledge-based economy. Overall, the findings indicate that promoting indigenous technology, expanding technological clusters, and reducing intermediate imports can significantly shift the country's production structure toward increasing endogeneity, sustainability, and domestic value added efficiency.