Phenomenographical Study of the Factors Limiting Carpet Industry Cluster in Sistan and Baluchestan Province: with an Emphasis on Regional and National Levels

Abstract

Based on international standards and directives of international organizations which lead the industrial clusters, successful implementation of such clusters involves some preliminary measures. An example of these is the challenges related to the cluster needed to identify the supporting and limiting factors pertaining to it. A study of the existing resources showed that the developing countries have already started the implementation of cluster strategy; however, unlike their noticeable endeavors in this regard, they haven’t yet acquired satisfactory results. Applying phenomenographical approach, an empirical study was conducted to identify obstacles and constraints facing the carpet industry cluster in Sistan and Baluchestan province of Iran. This cluster contained 23 private and public firms involved in the carpet industry and more than 6000 weavers and other relevant human resources. Phenomenographical analysis shows that from the viewpoint of stakeholders, structural problems together with the special conditions of this province, which are referred to as contextual factors, have created a limiting environment for successful performance of the cluster.