Evaluation of regional innovation system of Kurdistan province: A functional and structural analysis

This research aims to analyze the regional innovation system in Kurdistan with a structural-functional approach and tries to identify the weaknesses of this system and provide policy recommendations to improve it. The approach of the research is qualitative and in order to collect analysis of interviews of regional experts have been used. The data has been collected in an analytical-descriptive manner through the study of articles, reports, documents, and interviews with experts regarding the innovation system of Kurdistan. The findings of the research show some of the weaknesses of the innovation system of Kurdistan, which can be attributed to structural problems such as weak cooperation and interaction of actors, lack of financial resources for commercialization and innovative activities, lack of access to capable human resources, lack of compatibility between the agricultural sector and water resources. The limited market for innovative products, the lack of suitability of training courses with the advantages and priorities of the province, the low productivity of human resources, and the small scale of enterprises and agricultural units. Focusing on strengthening interactions between actors, creating industrial clusters such as the production of auto parts, and agricultural tools and creating downstream iron industries, aligning research and study activities with the potentials related to the province's border with Iraq, establishing think tanks and action in the field of products Having a competitive advantage such as strawberries and holding technological training can help to improve and promote the regional innovation system of Kurdistan.