Thematic Analysis and Prioritization of Factors Influencing the Development of Fisheries Clusters in the Makran Coastal Region

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 M. Sc of Business Management, Faculty of Management and Humanities University of Chabahar Maritime University, Chabahar, Iran

2 Assistant Professor, Department of Business management, Faculty of Management and humanities University of Chabahar Maritime University, Chabahar, Iran

10.22111/gdij.2025.51750.3730

Abstract

 
Makran coastal region in southeastern Iran holds strategic importance in national development and spatial planning due to its significant potential in the fisheries sector. However, the region's effective utilization in areas such as fishing, processing, and export requires regionally tailored and integrated development strategies. One viable approach is the formation of fisheries industrial clusters, which can enhance competitiveness and promote spatial-economic linkages among regional actors. This study aims to identify and prioritize the critical factors affecting  development of fisheries industrial clusters aligned with the sustainable development of Makran coast. Using an exploratory mixed-methods design, the research was conducted in two phases. In the qualitative phase, thematic analysis was applied to data from 12 semi-structured interviews with local fisheries stakeholders, including government officials, industry managers, and academic experts. The analysis identified six main themes: sustainable resource use, market dynamism, competitive capability, supportive infrastructure, institutional interaction, and policy support. The validity and reliability of the qualitative results were confirmed through expert review and Cohen’s Kappa coefficient (0.81).In the quantitative phase, the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) was used with 15 experts to determine the relative importance of the identified factors. The results highlighted “supportive infrastructure” and “market dynamism” as the most influential components in promoting cluster development. These findings emphasize the need for integrated spatial planning that addresses infrastructure, governance, social capital, and local cooperation. This study contributes to bridging theoretical insights with practical approaches in regional development and economic geography.

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References

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  • Receive Date: 23 April 2025
  • Revise Date: 27 May 2025
  • Accept Date: 02 June 2025

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