The Role of Domestic and Foreign Investment in the Sustainable Economic Development of Alborz Province: Challenges and Solutions in Alignment with the National Slogan

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 M.A., Department of Business Management, Faculty of Management and Economics, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran.

2 Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, Faculty of Law and Political Science, Karaj Branch, Islamic Azad University, Karaj, Iran.

Abstract

This study aims to analyze the impact of investment on the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of sustainable development, identify existing barriers, and propose practical solutions. The main research question examines how domestic and foreign investment influence sustainable development, while the sub-questions address economic, legal, and political barriers, facilitating policies, and the role of green innovations. The research methodology is descriptive-analytical. Data were collected through document review, semi-structured interviews with 20 experts and policymakers and 15 investors (10 domestic and 5 foreign), and a structured Likert-scale questionnaire completed by 35 respondents. Qualitative analysis was conducted using thematic analysis in NVivo, and quantitative analysis used descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and multiple regression in SPSS.
The findings revealed that domestic and foreign investment have a significant positive effect on the sustainable economic development of Alborz Province (R² = 0.68). The multiple regression results indicate that domestic investment (β = 0.45) and foreign investment (β = 0.32), along with supportive policies and green innovations, effectively promote economic growth, increase employment, improve productivity, and strengthen the dimensions of sustainable development. Moreover, economic, legal, and political barriers, particularly exchange rate fluctuations, administrative complexities, and international restrictions, were identified as the most significant deterrents to attracting investment. Proposed solutions include regulatory facilitation, tax incentives, strengthening economic diplomacy, and focusing on green technologies. In conclusion, by overcoming challenges and implementing supportive policies, Alborz can become a model for regional development. Recommendations include establishing special task forces to reduce bureaucracy and allocating budgets for green infrastructure.
 

Keywords


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