A Digital Transformation Approach to Authenticate Original Products for Foreign Markets

This study presents a novel business model designed to explore the impact of digitalization on product authentication, a field gaining increasing relevance in today's digital economy. Leveraging Near-Field Communication (NFC) technology, the proposed model aims to support the international expansion of original products by establishing a secure product authentication database. Given NFC’s widespread adoption for authenticity verification and market development, this research offers a pioneering framework for applying such technology to authenticate Iranian products—particularly in sectors like handicrafts and apparel, which possess strong export potential yet remain underutilized by local industry stakeholders. Beyond authentication, the model enables robust market intelligence gathering, especially in foreign markets where consumer insights are often fragmented. The study employs Osterwalder’s business model framework to construct a comprehensive business model canvas, detailing key components such as value propositions, customer segments, and revenue streams. Two distinct service revenue strategies are proposed: a "pay-per-tap" model and a tiered annual subscription plan (Bronze, Silver, and Gold), each tailored to varying levels of service engagement and market needs.