Environmental issues such as water scarcity are typically multidimensional problems, and resolving them requires a systems-based approach and socio-technical innovations. This article applies the “Problem-oriented Innovation System (PIS)” as a new approach to resolve water scarcity problem. In Iran, this has not been the case as natural water scarcity along with decades of mismanagement has turned water scarcity into a national crisis and caused several interrelated socioeconomic problems. Using case study, in this article, Iran’s water scarcity is analyzed to see how the PIS is able to help resolve this problem. Results indicate that the inefficient management and monitoring the water scarcity and lack of appropriate standardization and tariffs are the most important system failures of the water scarcity PIS in Iran. Also, the most important policy implications are moving toward decentralization in water management based on a participatory approach and establishing a national drought monitoring system.

诸如水资源短缺之类的环境问题通常是多维问题，要解决这些问题，需要基于系统的方法和社会技术创新。本文应用“面向问题的创新系统（PIS）”作为解决缺水问题的新方法。在伊朗，情况并非如此，因为自然的水资源短缺以及数十年的管理不善将水资源短缺变成了国家危机，并引发了一些相互关联的社会经济问题。本文通过案例研究，对伊朗的水资源短缺进行了分析，以了解PIS如何能够帮助解决这一问题。结果表明，对水资源短缺的管理和监控效率低下以及缺乏适当的标准化和水价是伊朗水资源短缺PIS的最重要系统故障。还，