Identify the export market attractiveness of Iran’s free zones

Increasing competition on a global scale has led to an increase in the number of companies looking for opportunities in international markets to achieve their goals, survive and maintain their market position. In a knowledge-based economy, the organizations’ intangible is increasingly becoming a competitive factor. Such assets are seen as the essence of competitive advantage. However, companies operating in international markets and unknown export environments face environmental uncertainty. The literature has merely addressed some aspects of export market attractiveness and comprehensive models with no comprehensive theories developed in the field. Therefore, this paper aims to systematically review and identify the factors and components of export market attractiveness in free zones. This paper adopts a Meta-synthesis method. This paper content analysis shows that the export market’s attractiveness in comprehensive themes includes internal and external factors. The building blocks of internal factors include marketing factors, information factors, and performance factors. The building blocks of external factors include procedural factors, government factors, customers, international markets, and the business environment.