AB ÜLKELERİNDE DİJİTALLEŞMENİN AR-GE VE İNOVASYON KAPASİTESİ ÜZERİNDEKİ ETKİSİ: AMPİRİK BİR ANALİZ

Abstract

Bu çalışma Avrupa Birliği ülkelerinde dijital performansın araştırma-geliştirme (Ar-Ge) ve inovasyon kapasitesi üzerindeki etkisini kısmi en küçük kareler yapısal eşitlik modellemesi ile ortaya koymaktadır. Ülkelerin dijital performans düzeyinin değerlendirilmesinde Dijital Ekonomi ve Toplum Endeksi (DESI) çerçevesinde yer alan bağlanabilirlik, beşeri sermaye, dijital kamu hizmetleri ve dijital teknolojinin entegrasyonu boyutları modele dahil edilmiştir. Yüksek teknoloji ihracatı, Ar-Ge harcamaları (% GSYİH) ve Ar-Ge araştırmacılarından (milyon kişi başına) oluşan üç alt boyut ise, çalışmaya konu olan ülkelerin Ar-Ge ve inovasyon kapasitesini belirlemek için kullanılan göstergelerdir. 2022 yılına ait verilerin ele alındığı modelin analizinde SmartPLS 4 yazılımı aracılığıyla geçerlilik, güvenilirlik ve yol katsayılarına ilişkin testler uygulanmıştır. Ampirik bulgular, dijital performansın AB ülkelerinde Ar-Ge ve inovasyon kapasitesini istatistiksel olarak anlamlı ve pozitif yönde etkilediğini göstermektedir (β=0,626 t=6,088 p<0,01). Çalışmada, dijital becerilerle donatılmış bir işgücünün oluşturulması, dijital teknolojilerin kullanımının yaygınlaştırılması, bağlantı alt yapısının güçlendirilmesi ve kamu hizmetlerinde dijitalleşmenin teşvik edilmesi alanlarında gözlemlenen iyileşmelerin ülkelerin dijital performanslarındaki gelişmeyle birlikte Ar-Ge ve inovasyon kapasitelerini artırmada politika yapıcılar açısından stratejik bir rol oynadığı ortaya konulmaktadır.

Keywords

• Dijitalleşme
• Ar-Ge ve İnovasyon
• PLS-SEM

THE IMPACT OF DIGITALIZATION ON R&D AND INNOVATION CAPACITY IN EU COUNTRIES: AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS

Abstract

This study reveals the impact of digital performance on research and development (R&D) and innovation capacity in European Union countries using partial least squares structural equation modeling. To assess the digital performance level of countries, the connectivity, human capital, digital public services, and integration of digital technology dimensions included in the Digital Economy and Society Index (DESI) framework have been incorporated into the model. The three sub-dimensions consisting of high-technology exports, research and development expenditure (% of GDP), and researchers in R&D (per million people)- are indicators used to determine the R&D and innovation capacity of the countries studied. In the analysis of the model, in which 2022 data were employed, tests on validity, reliability, and path coefficients were carried out through SmartPLS 4 software. The empirical findings show that the digital performance affects the R&D and innovation capacity in EU countries statistically significantly and positively (β=0.626, t=6.088, p<0.01). The study reveals that improvements observed in areas such as creating a digitally skilled workforce, expanding the use of digital technologies, strengthening connectivity infrastructure, and encouraging digitalization in public services play a strategic role for policymakers in increasing countries' R&D and innovation capacities, along with improving their digital performance.

Keywords

• Digitalization
• R&D and Innovation
• PLS-SEM

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