Faculty of Entrepreneurship, University of Tehran Journal of Entrepreneurship Development 2008-2266 10 3 2017 11 22 Identification of a Growth framework for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Iranian Food Industry, using Grounded Theory Identification of a Growth framework for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Iranian Food Industry, using Grounded Theory 457 475 65026 10.22059/jed.2018.224841.652087 FA Shima Farokh Ph.D. candidate in strategic management ,Faculty of Management and Economics, University of Tarbiat Modares, Tehran, Iran Asadollah Kordnaeij Associate Professor, Faculty of Management and Economics, University of Tarbiat Modares, Tehran, Iran Seyed Hamid Khodadad Hosseini Professor, Faculty of Management and Economics, University of Tarbiat Modares, Tehran, Iran Mohammad Reza Zali Associate Professor, Faculty of Entrepreneurship, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran Journal Article 2017 01 11 During the previous decade, SMEs’ failure in transforming into established businesses in food industry has been one of the major concerns. Thus, due to their prominent role in economic development, the aim of this research is responding to the concern that: what are the SMEs’ growth factors in Iranian food industry? For this reason, researchers used an applied qualitative strategy, as well as Grounded Theory. Data collection has done by in-depth interview instrument (13 founders of SMEs in food industry of Tehran province). Snowball sampling is used and data analysis shows that core factor is “continuous entrepreneurial passion” that lead to growth outcomes. If some casual conditions influence on entrepreneurial passion, we can observe SME’s growth, by strategies, environmental and mediator factors. with regards to this process the story and propositions are written. During the previous decade, SMEs’ failure in transforming into established businesses in food industry has been one of the major concerns. Thus, due to their prominent role in economic development, the aim of this research is responding to the concern that: what are the SMEs’ growth factors in Iranian food industry? For this reason, researchers used an applied qualitative strategy, as well as Grounded Theory. Data collection has done by in-depth interview instrument (13 founders of SMEs in food industry of Tehran province). Snowball sampling is used and data analysis shows that core factor is “continuous entrepreneurial passion” that lead to growth outcomes. If some casual conditions influence on entrepreneurial passion, we can observe SME’s growth, by strategies, environmental and mediator factors. with regards to this process the story and propositions are written. https://jed.ut.ac.ir/article_65026_2d1e727a78723adcffdee858cd349913.pdf