Document Type : Original Article (Mixed)
Authors
1
Department of Business management, Se.C., Islamic Azad University, Semnan, Iran
2
Department of Industrial Engineering, Se.C., Islamic Azad University, Semnan, Iran.
3
Department of Industrial Management,Se.C., Islamic Azad University, Semnan, Iran
10.22034/jvcbm.2026.595868.1816
Abstract
The rapid advancement of clean energy technologies has made the integration of sustainable marketing and renewable energy development a central issue in the sustainable development literature. However, the application of conventional marketing approaches in this field remains challenging due to the capital-intensive nature of renewable energy projects, institutional complexities, and dependence on government policies. This study aimed to design and analyze a renewable energy development model based on sustainable marketing using the Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping (FCM) approach. The research is applied in terms of purpose and employs a mixed-methods (qualitative–quantitative) design. In the qualitative phase, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 21 experts in renewable energy, biosystems, and marketing, and the initial model was developed using the Grounded Theory approach. In the quantitative phase, 40 of the 41 identified components were validated through the Fuzzy Delphi method. Subsequently, the relationships among factors, strategies, and outcomes were analyzed using Fuzzy Cognitive Mapping based on the judgments of 14 experts participating in a focus group.The findings revealed that data-driven and information-based policymaking was the most influential factor (centrality = 5.90; outdegree = 2.98), while structural transformation in the energy system exhibited the highest indegree (3.03). Furthermore, improving regional and local policies (centrality = 4.49) emerged as the most significant strategy, whereas regional and local transformation (centrality = 4.32) was identified as the most significant outcome. Regional analysis further indicated that data-driven and information-based policymaking and the improvement of regional and local policies function as key leverage points within the system. The findings indicate that renewable energy development in Iran requires not only technological advancement but also the redesign of information systems, the strengthening of smart governance, institutional capacity building, and the localization of sustainable marketing strategies to create economic, social, and environmental value.
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