Spatial Formulation of Economic Strategies in the Industry and Mining Sector of Semnan Province

Abstract

Objective: Accordingly, the present study aims to spatially formulate the economic strategies of the industry and mining sector. Methodology: This research is descriptive-analytical in terms of method and applied in terms of purpose. The statistical population consists of the industries and mines of Semnan Province, from which selected industries were chosen as the statistical sample using the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). For this purpose, the province’s industries were weighted based on criteria identified by experts and prioritized using the AHP technique. A sensitivity analysis (SA) was also conducted to examine the influence of changes in criterion weights on the results. In the next step, the SWOT technique was employed to formulate strategies, and the QSPM (Quantitative Strategic Planning Matrix) was used for their prioritization. Data collection was conducted through fieldwork involving interviews and successive meetings with provincial experts and professionals. Internal validity was ensured by selecting samples that provided rich information, and qualitative reliability was confirmed using the PAO (Percent Agreement Observed) coefficient. Findings: Semnan Province performs moderately in leveraging its strengths and overcoming its weaknesses, but it shows relatively better performance in exploiting opportunities and countering threats. This indicates a weaker internal response of the province compared to its reaction to external factors. Conclusion: Based on the results, in the industry sector, the strategies with the highest priority include "enhancing investment security" and "emphasizing the formation and development of industrial clusters linked to driving industries." In the mining sector, the most prioritized strategies are "reducing the export of raw mineral materials" and "creating and developing infrastructure to exploit mines, particularly the polymetallic zone in the south."