Determining Strategic R&D Sectors In Turkey: An Import-Based Approach

Abstract

Based on the postulates of the endogenous growth theory and the findings of a number of related empirical studies, nations that endeavor to sustain considerable economic growth in the long-run should invest more in R&D activities which should be designed in an effective way considering the needs as well as the prospects of the country. Therefore, national R&D policies should be firmly constructed based on effective diagnoses, which ideally require well-established procedures. In this regard, this paper attempts to contribute to the literature by developing an index that would help identify the strategic sectors for a developing country based on an import approach. The index, which is composed of two stages, initially pinpoints the sectors with high import indicators that are further evaluated based on their technological intensity and valueaddedness. The trade data on Turkey are also analyzed using the index to figure out the strategic sectors that should be incorporated within the R&D plans of the country. Results show that the most strategic manufacturing sectors for R&D in Turkey are aircraft & spacecraft, optical, photo, technical & medical apparatus and electric/electronic equipment, followed by organic chemicals and machinery

Keywords

• R&D, strategic sectors, imports, index, decision making models, Turkey

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