Product Complexity and Export Competitiveness: Evidence from Türkiye

Abstract

This study investigates the determinants of export competitiveness by focusing on various factors, including product complexity, real effective exchange rate (REER), foreign demand, overall competitiveness, and institutional quality. Using the Turkish economy as a case study from 1996 to 2021, we employ the Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) technique to analyze these factors. The findings show that product complexity has a significant and negative effect on Türkiye's export competitiveness, suggesting that high-complexity products pose challenges in Türkiye’s export competitiveness. Moreover, exchange rate fluctuations are found to have an insignificant impact. Economic growth in major export destinations and overall competitiveness have positive and significant impacts on export performance. This study provides several policy implications, including enhancing export competitiveness in complex products through cost-effective production, skill development, and a shift toward technology-driven industries. Furthermore, maintaining macroeconomic stability and focusing on innovation and infrastructure are crucial for boosting export competitiveness.

Keywords

• International Trade
• Export Competitiveness
• Product Complexity
• Sophistication
• Turkish Economy

Ürün Karmaşıklığı ve İhracat Rekabetçiliği: Türkiye Örneği

Öz

Bu çalışma, ürün karmaşıklığı, reel efektif döviz kuru, yurtdışı talebi, genel rekabet gücü ve kurumsal kalite gibi çeşitli unsurlara odaklanarak ihracat rekabetçiliğinin belirleyicilerini araştırmaktadır. Bu amaçla, Genelleştirilmiş Momentler Yöntemi (GMM) tekniği 1996-2021 dönemi için Türkiye ekonomisi verilerine uygulanmaktadır. Elde edilen bulgular, ürün karmaşıklığının Türkiye’nin ihracat rekabetçiliği üzerinde anlamlı ve olumsuz bir etkiye sahip olduğunu göstermektedir. Bu bulgu yüksek karmaşıklıktaki ürünlerin Türkiye’nin ihracat rekabet gücünde zorluklar oluşturduğuna işaret etmektedir. Bununla birlikte, döviz kuru dalgalanmalarının istatistiki olarak anlamsız bir etkiye sahip olduğu bulgusuna ulaşılmıştır. Ayrıca, yurtdışı talep ile GCI’nin ihracat performansına anlamlı ve olumlu etki ettiği sonucuna ulaşılmıştır. Bu çalışmanın bulgularına dayanarak birçok politika önerisi geliştirilebilir. Bunların arasında maliyet etkin üretimin desteklenmesi ve beceri geliştirme ve teknoloji odaklı endüstrilere geçiş yoluyla karmaşık ürünlerde rekabetçilik gücünün artırılması yer almaktadır. Ayrıca, döviz kuru istikrarını korumak ve inovasyona, altyapıya ve makroekonomik istikrara odaklanmanın ihracat rekabetçiliğini artırmadaki önemi ortaya konmaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Uluslararası Ticaret
• İhracat Rekabetçiliği
• Ürün Karmaşıklığı
• Sofistikasyon
• Türkiye Ekonomisi

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