Technological Catch-up in oil E&P industry with Learning and Technological Capability development approach: EOR sector of Iran

For resource-based economies like Iran, the  the most important way to end the oil-dependency era is technological development. Therefore, the present study examines the technological development and catch- up trajectory of Iranian E&P companies in the field of EOR through experience-based and research-based learnings, with the mediating role of technological capabilities. In the first stage, considering the nature of knowledge and technology in EOR industry, it was examined that which mode of learning is more applicable in this industry. Then, by means of Thematic Analysis and through reviewing the most reliable sources, the relationship between modes of learning, types of capabilities, and types of technological catch-up were investigated in one framework to determine the technological path from learning to catch-up. In the second stage, with a case study of two Iranian E&P companies, their catch-up stages were studied. The research findings show that the first company has followed the path-following pattern by accumulating operational capability level through experience-based learning mechanisms, and the second company has followed path-creating pattern by adding research-based learning mechanisms and accumulating innovative capability.