Abstract Policy evaluation has spread rapidly around the world in the last few decades. This study develops and applies a policy maturity model to evaluate the evolution of two significant innovation policies in Iran: the Law on Supporting Knowledge-Based Institutions and Companies (2010) and the Knowledge-Based Production Leap Act (2022). The study focuses on new technology–based firms (NTBFs), known as ‘knowledge-based firms’, which play a crucial role in fostering innovation and economic development. Employing a qualitative methodology, this research integrates a systematic literature review with in-depth interviews conducted with 15 national innovation policy experts. The proposed model identifies four distinct levels of policy maturity, ranging from Undefined to Broad Perspective. Findings reveal that the 2010 law aligns with a Narrow Perspective, characterized by government-centric interventions. In contrast, the 2022 act reflects an Intermediate Perspective, reflecting increased cooperation between public and private sectors. To progress towards the Broad Perspective—where civil society plays an active role—this study recommends strengthening macrolevel governance, institutionalizing transparent evaluation and learning mechanisms, promoting stakeholder engagement, and enhancing the resilience of innovation policies. The research contributes theoretically by offering a structured framework for evaluating innovation policies in developing countries, addressing the need for context-specific assessment tools beyond existing models.
Safardoust et al. (Fri,) studied this question.