Investigating the characteristics of e-city and its position in the development of free trade ports (Case study: Chabahar city)

Today, societies are moving towards the electronic world. Therefore, considering the free tradeindustrial zones, they can play an important role as a gateway for countries in increasing exports, developing employment, attracting domestic and foreign investments, and sustainable spatial development in the region. Having information and communication technology infrastructure can play a role. Play a great role in the development of these places. In this regard, the purpose of this study is to investigate the characteristics of the electronic city and its place in the development of free trade ports in Chabahar. The approach governing the research space is quantitative and the type of research is applied. The research method is descriptive-analytical and based on field research and a questionnaire. The statistical population of this study includes the citizens of Chabahar. The sample size of Cochran's formula was 384 people. Path analysis and one-sample t-test were used to analyze the data. The results of one-sample t-test showed that the rate of citizens' use of e-city indicators with an average of 3٫38 is higher than the desired situation. Also, information technology has had a significant impact on the development of Chabahar free ports in the social dimension with an average of 3٫22, in economic development with an average of 3٫40 and in the physical development of Chabahar port with an average of 3٫33. In order to investigate the most important effects of e-city indicators in Chabahar Free Trade Zone, path analysis test has been used. The results showed that among the proposed indicators, private sector investment indicators with a beta coefficient of 0٫564, trade development index in national and international areas with a beta coefficient of 0٫765, revenue growth index from The activities of the free zone with a beta coefficient of 0٫123, the index of increasing productive and permanent employment with a beta coefficient of 0٫154, the facilitation and development of exports and attracting foreign capital with a beta coefficient of 0٫234, have had direct effects. However, the greatest impact on the trade development index is in the national and international spheres.