Identifying and Ranking Major Obstacles to Foreign Investment in Iran Using Multi-Criteria Decision-Making Models in Uncertainty Environmen

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 PhD Student of Economic Development, Faculty of Economics and Management,, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran

2 Associate Professor, Department of Economics, Faculty of Economics and Management, Urmia University, Urmia, Iran

10.30465/jnet.2025.51218.2184

Abstract

One of key factors in the development of countries, especially in developing countries, is undoubtedly foreign investment. The goal of attracting foreign investment is to secure financial resources and facilitate technology transfer to enhance production levels, employment, and provide opportunities for exports, infrastructure development, and the realization of national development programs. Despite its rich resources and vast untouched market, Iran faces numerous obstacles in attracting foreign investment. This paper examines the major obstacles to foreign investment in Iran. Through a comprehensive literature review and detailed analysis of previous research, the main and sub- obstacles were identified, and classified into 6 categories based on expert opinions. Next, using the fuzzy AHP method and experts' views, the relative weights of the decision criteria were determined and the existing obstacles were ranked using the fuzzy TOPSIS decision-making method. The results showed that political and economic obstacles are the primary obstacles to attracting foreign investment in Iran, while socio-cultural barriers were found to be the least significant. Finally, sensitivity analysis was performed to assess the reliability of the results and some suggestions were proposed based on the findings to overcome existing obstacles and improve the foreign investment situation in Iran.

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History

  • Receive Date: 23 February 2025
  • Revise Date: 06 June 2025
  • Accept Date: 16 June 2025

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