Designing a Framework for Trade Freedom Indicators within the Islamic Economics Paradigm for Formulating Iran’s Development Plans

Document Type : Original Article (Mixed)

Authors

Department of Economics, Graduate Studies Center, Payame Noor University, Tehran, Iran.

10.22034/jnamm.2026.590252.1329
Abstract
Economic freedom in Islamic economics, unlike the liberal approach, is defined within the framework of justice, ethics, and Sharia principles. However, the lack of indigenous and operational indicators for measuring this concept represents a significant research gap. This study aimed to design and validate economic freedom indicators within the framework of Islamic economics using an exploratory mixed-methods design. In the qualitative phase, thematic analysis and a systematic literature review identified six main indicators and 36 sub-indicators. Content validity was confirmed by 24 experts in Islamic economics based on acceptable Content Validity Ratio (CVR) and Content Validity Index (CVI) values. In the quantitative phase, two rounds of the Fuzzy Delphi method confirmed 35 sub-indicators, while one was eliminated, indicating expert consensus. Exploratory factor analysis revealed that the indicator “Application of Economic Freedom Indicators in Development Plans” had the highest factor loading (0.837), whereas “Protection of Legitimate Private Property Rights” had the lowest (0.548). Among the sub-indicators, “Prevention of Usury and Bribery,” “Company Registration Cost,” and “Enhancing Transparency in Development Programs” received the highest importance. The findings demonstrate that the proposed indicators are both valid and reliable and can serve as a Sharia-compliant tool for assessing economic freedom and evaluating development plans in Islamic countries.

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Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 21 December 2026

  • Receive Date 05 May 2026
  • Revise Date 08 July 2026
  • Accept Date 03 August 2026