Designing an International Competitiveness Model Based on the Application of Blockchain Technology in State-Owned Industrial Companies (Case Study: Sarcheshmeh Copper Complex)

Abstract

State-owned industrial companies must adopt technologies from the Fourth Industrial Revolution, such as blockchain, to enhance international competitiveness. This need arises due to the demand for increased transparency and trust in the supply chain, improved efficiency, cost reduction, enhanced traceability, and compliance with international standards. The present study aimed to design an international competitiveness model based on the application of blockchain technology in state-owned industrial companies. This research employed a qualitative methodology. The statistical population in the model design phase included faculty members specializing in public administration, information technology, IT, and information systems management in higher education institutions, along with senior executives and managers in informatics, international marketing, and sales departments of state-owned industrial companies. In the validation phase, experts and professionals knowledgeable in "international competitiveness" and "blockchain technology" at the national level constituted the study population. In the qualitative phase, the snowball sampling method was used to select 18 experts, while in the validation phase, 16 experts were chosen through purposive sampling. Data collection tools included semi-structured interviews in the qualitative phase and an expert evaluation checklist in the validation phase. Data analysis was conducted using thematic analysis with initial, axial, and secondary coding in Atlas software for the qualitative phase, while the Delphi method was employed in three rounds using SPSS software for the validation phase. To determine validity and reliability in the qualitative phase, necessary assessments such as acceptability (expert review) and confirmability (expert verification) were applied. In the validation stage, the content of the expert evaluation checklist was reviewed for clarity and comprehensibility by several academic and organizational experts, and its reliability was confirmed with a test-retest method, yielding a coefficient of 0.83. According to the qualitative findings, the final model comprised six main themes: 1) technological transformation and innovation, 2) transparency in the intelligent supply chain, 3) organizational capacity building, 4) legal and policy environment, 5) sustainable economic advantage, and 6) engagement with international markets. The model also included 24 sub-themes and 96 criteria. The validation results confirmed the main and sub-themes identified in the qualitative phase.