Challenges and Opportunities in the Blue Economy: A Synthesis of the Global Literature and a Research Agenda

Abstract

This study aims to evaluate the literature on the blue economy and blue growth within a holistic framework and to identify the main debates, opportunities, and structural challenges in the field. A narrative review approach was adopted, and academic publications together with key policy documents were examined. The literature was classified according to conceptual foundations, key sectors, and economic, social, environmental, technological, cultural, and governance dimensions, and then analyzed in terms of challenges, barriers, and opportunities for transformation. The findings show that the blue economy cannot be understood solely as an approach focused on the growth potential of marine-based activities. Instead, environmental sustainability, social inclusion, justice, governance capacity, and multi-sectoral planning emerge as decisive factors for its success. As a result, the study identifies the main trends highlighted in the global literature and concludes that there is a particular need for comparative, multidimensional, and practice-oriented research in the Turkish context.

Keywords

• Blue Economy
• Blue Growth
• Sustainable Development Goals
• European Green Deal
• Maritime Sector

Mavi Ekonomide Zorluklar ve Fırsatlar: Küresel Literatürün Sentezi ve Araştırma Gündemi

Abstract

Bu çalışma, mavi ekonomi ve mavi büyüme literatürünü bütüncül bir çerçevede değerlendirerek alandaki temel tartışmaları, fırsatları ve yapısal sorunları ortaya koymayı amaçlamaktadır. Çalışmada anlatı temelli derleme yöntemi benimsenmiş, konuya ilişkin akademik yayınlar ile temel politika belgeleri birlikte incelenmiştir. Literatür; kavramsal temeller, temel sektörler, ekonomik, sosyal, çevresel, teknolojik, kültürel ve yönetişimsel boyutlar çerçevesinde sınıflandırılmış; ardından zorluklar, engeller ve dönüşüm fırsatları bakımından analiz edilmiştir. İnceleme sonuçları, mavi ekonominin yalnızca deniz temelli faaliyetlerin büyüme potansiyeline odaklanan bir yaklaşım olarak ele alınamayacağını göstermektedir. Bulgular, çevresel sürdürülebilirlik, toplumsal kapsayıcılık, adalet, yönetişim kapasitesi ve çok sektörlü planlamanın bu alanın başarısı açısından belirleyici olduğunu ortaya koymaktadır. Çalışma sonucunda, küresel literatürde öne çıkan ana eğilimler ortaya konulmuş ve Türkiye bağlamında özellikle karşılaştırmalı, çok boyutlu ve uygulamaya dönük araştırmalara ihtiyaç bulunduğu değerlendirilmiştir.

Keywords

• Mavi ekonomi
• mavi büyüme
• sürdürülebilir kalkınma amaçları
• Avrupa Yeşil Mutabakatı
• denizcilik

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