Teknolojik Dönüşümün Ekonomik Yansımaları: Türkiye'de Ar-Ge Harcamalarının Sektörel Yapısı ve Verimlilikle İlişkisi

Abstract

Amaç – Bu çalışma, 1990-2019 yılları arasında Türkiye'de Ar-Ge harcamalarının sektörel yapısının Toplam Faktör Verimliliği (TFV) üzerindeki etkilerini incelemektedir. Araştırma, özel sektör, kamu sektörü ve yükseköğretim kurumlarının Ar-Ge harcamalarının TFV'yi nasıl farklı şekilde etkilediğini inceleyerek, sektörel Ar-Ge etkilerine dair ampirik kanıtların sınırlı kaldığı gelişmekte olan ekonomiler literatüründeki kritik bir boşluğu ele almaktadır. Tasarım/veri/metodoloji – Çalışmada, 1990-2019 dönemini kapsayan zaman serisi verileri kullanılmaktadır. Birim kök testleri (ADF, Phillips-Perron, KPSS), Johansen Eşbütünleşme Analizi, Vektör Hata Düzeltme Modeli (VECM) ve Temel Bileşen Analizi (PCA) gibi gelişmiş teknikler uygulanmaktadır. Veri seti, Türkiye İstatistik Kurumu, Penn World Table, Dünya Bankası ve OECD veri tabanlarından TFV ölçümlerini ve çeşitli makroekonomik, kurumsal ve Ar-Ge harcama değişkenlerini içermektedir. Bulgular – Özel sektör Ar-Ge harcamaları ile TFV arasında negatif ve istatistiksel olarak anlamlı ilişki (-0,0073) ortaya koymaktadır. Kamu sektörü Ar-Ge'si (0,0112) ve yükseköğretim Ar-Ge'si (0,0108), üretkenlik üzerinde olumlu etkiler göstermektedir. Sermaye yoğunluğu faktörü, TFV üzerinde en güçlü olumlu etkiyi göstermektedir (0,0938), bu da Türkiye'deki üretkenlik kazanımlarının inovasyon odaklı büyümeden ziyade öncelikli olarak sermaye birikiminden kaynaklandığını göstermektedir. Özgünlük/değer – Bu çalışma, Türkiye'de sektörel Ar-Ge harcamalarının üretkenlik üzerindeki farklı etkilerine dair ampirik kanıtlar sunarak literatüre katkıda bulunmakta ve özel sektör Ar-Ge etkinliğine ilişkin geleneksel varsayımları sorgulamaktadır.

Keywords

• Ar-Ge Harcamaları
• Toplam Faktör Verimliliği
• Sektörel İnovasyon
• Türkiye
• Temel Bileşen Analizi
• Eşbütünleşme Analizi

Economic Reflections of Technological Transformation: Sectoral Structure of R&D Expenditures in Türkiye and Their Relationship with Productivity

Abstract

Purpose – This study examines the effects of sectoral composition of Research and Development (R&D) expenditures on Total Factor Productivity (TFP) in Türkiye during 1990-2019. The research investigates how R&D expenditures by private sector, public sector, and higher education institutions differentially impact TFP, addressing a critical gap in the literature on developing economies where empirical evidence on sectoral R&D impacts remains limited. Design/data/methodology – The study employs time-series data covering 1990-2019. Sophisticated techniques including unit root tests (ADF, Phillips-Perron, KPSS), Johansen Cointegration Analysis, Vector Error Correction Model (VECM), and Principal Component Analysis (PCA) are applied. The dataset includes TFP measurements and various macroeconomic, institutional, and R&D expenditure variables from Turkish Statistical Institute, Penn World Table, World Bank, and OECD databases. Findings – Contrary to conventional expectations, the findings reveal an unexpected negative and statistically significant relationship (-0.0073) between private sector R&D expenditures and TFP. Public sector R&D (0.0112) and higher education R&D (0.0108) demonstrate positive effects on productivity. The capital intensity factor shows the strongest positive effect on TFP (0.0938), suggesting productivity gains in Türkiye primarily stem from capital accumulation rather than innovation-driven growth. Originality/value – This study contributes to the literature by providing empirical evidence on the differential impacts of sectoral R&D expenditures on productivity in Türkiye, challenging conventional assumptions about private sector R&D effectiveness.

Keywords

• R&D Expenditures
• Total Factor Productivity
• Sectoral Innovation
• Turkey
• Principal Component Analysis
• Cointegration Analysis

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