SCALE EFFECT AND SHORT-TERM SHOCKS IN ROAD FREIGHT TRANSPORT: A PANEL DATA ANALYSIS ON THE INTEGRATION OF EUROPE AND TÜRKİYE
Abstract
In this paper, the decoupling hypothesis between economic growth and environmental deterioration generated by transport is empirically explored, with a specific focus on road freight transport. The expanded STIRPAT model is estimated using the First-Difference approach for a panel of 28 countries, including European countries and Türkiye, over the period 2004–2024, considering cross-sectional dependence that reflects interactions among countries’ transport networks. The results show that road emissions are not decoupled from economic growth in the context of short-term macroeconomic expansions. Furthermore, transport volume, representing the sectoral scale increase, is found to exert a statistically significant and positive pressure on emissions. According to the interaction model examining the structural differences between Europe and Türkiye, the long-run level model reveals that Türkiye exhibits a more carbon-intensive growth trajectory compared with the European average. However, in the model analyzing short-term shocks, the interaction coefficient for Türkiye is found to be statistically insignificant, confirming that its emission response to logistical shocks does not differ from the European average. In light of this econometric evidence, more effective operational management of existing transport volume, the expansion of domestic intermodal transport capacity, and regionally coordinated alignment with EU road Emissions Trading System (ETS) regulations are proposed as fundamental policy recommendations.
Keywords
References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Business Administration
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
Emre İpekçi
*
0000-0002-0389-2089
Türkiye
Publication Date
September 21, 2026
Submission Date
May 30, 2026
Acceptance Date
August 11, 2026
Published in Issue
Year 2026 Volume: 27 Number: 1