Developing EFQM and VIKORE methods as appropriate framework for evaluating the performance of Iranian free trade zones

This research is aimed at developing an appropriate framework for the evaluating the performance of Iranian free trade zones by using EFQM and VIKORE methods. At the first based on the EFQM nine standard criteria the performance of each free trade zones evaluated. Then by considering the obtained data in prior step the decision matrix of VIKOR method has been constructed and Shannon Entropy method is applied in second step to measure the weight of all EFQM standard criteria according to their importance level in free trade zones performance evaluation. The obtained result from Shannon Entropy method revealed that the Strategy and policy has gained the highest weight. Then by using VIKOR studied free trade zones such as Kish, Gheshm, Aras, and ArvandChahbahar have been prioritized.The resulted obtained by the VIKOR model showed that, Kishget the first, Qeshm the scond and arvand third and Chah Bahr and Anzali get the fourth and the fifth respectively.Therefore we can infer that studied free trade zones are on their Excellence procedure.