Journal of Improvement Management

Journal of Improvement Management

Modeling Successful Project Management Solutions for Industrial Cluster Development using Grounded Theory

Document Type : Research Article (Original Article)

Authors
Mitra Moubed 1
Fateme Taheri 2
Mohammad Foad Sabbaghzade 3
Mohammad Hosseini 4
Hamid Keshavarz 5
1 Assistant Prof., Department of Industrial Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ardakan University, Ardakan, Iran
2 PhD Candidate in Business Management, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran
3 MSc. Student in Industrial Management, Yazd University, Yazd, Iran
4 MSc. Student in Economics, Khatam University, Tehran, Iran.
5 Master's Student in Human Resource Management, Department of Public Administration, Ardakan University, Ardakan, Iran.
10.22034/jmi.2025.506849.3181
Abstract
Industrial clusters are groups of related businesses, located in the same geographical area, sharing commonalities and having complementary relationships. The development of clusters in Iran has started based on the model of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). In Yazd Province, these projects have been initiated since 2005, and by 2024, six clusters have been fully developed, with two other clusters in various stages of development. In the current paper, after identifying and documenting successful and unsuccessful experiences, the knowledge and lessons learnt in the field of cluster development projects, uses grounded theory to develop a model for management of industrial cluster development projects. The main categories of cluster development actions were identified by interviews with experts and the causal conditions, intervening factors, strategies, and outcomes of cluster development were identified and modeled. The results showed that appropriate social capital and common problems were important causal factors in the success of cluster development projects in Yazd Province. Furthermore, development strategies such as stakeholder awareness, creating joint supply solutions for raw materials, market development and branding, training and empowering human resources, and developing standards contribute to the success of these projects, ultimately leading to improved quality, increased domestic production, access to raw materials, and market expansion.
Keywords
Cluster Development Project
Grounded Theory
Industrial Cluster
Knowledge Extraction
Subjects
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  • Receive Date 15 February 2025
  • Revise Date 16 August 2025
  • Accept Date 21 August 2025