REALIZING INNOVATION-DRIVEN ECONOMIC GROWTH: CASE STUDIES FROM AZERBAIJAN, TURKIYE, AND GEORGIA

Öz

This study explores the pathways and mechanisms through which innovation drives economic growth in Azerbaijan, Turkiye, and Georgia. Utilizing data from both national and international sources, including the State Statistical Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the National Statistics Office of Georgia, the Turkish Statistical Institute, the Global Innovation Index, the World Bank, the IMF, and the OECD, the analysis focuses on a wide range of macroeconomic and innovation-related indicators to assess the role of innovation in economic transformation. The study emphasizes the importance of key factors such as GDP (PPP), GDP per capita, labour productivity, R&D expenditure, patent output, high-tech manufacturing and exports, ICT services exports, education spending, tertiary enrolment rates, and the share of science and engineering graduates in driving long-term economic growth. A comparative approach is employed to highlight the distinct development trajectories of the three countries while identifying shared challenges and opportunities for innovation-led transformation. Key findings suggest that innovation plays a critical role in fostering economic diversification and competitiveness in these countries. The study underscores the need for coordinated policy measures and investments in human capital, infrastructure, and research and development to build sustainable innovation ecosystems. Insights from this research offer valuable guidance for policymakers, business leaders, and academic institutions in enhancing the innovation capacity of Azerbaijan, Turkiye, and Georgia. Furthermore, the study calls for future research that includes empirical case studies and quantitative assessments to further evaluate the practical impact of innovation on economic growth. By providing a comparative analysis of innovation-driven economic transformation, this research contributes to the academic and policy discussions surrounding sustainable development in the South Caucasus and Turkiye.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Innovation-driven growth
• economic development
• digital economy
• government policy
• technological innovation

İNOVASYON ODAKLI EKONOMİK BÜYÜMENİN GERÇEKLEŞTİRİLMESİ: AZERBAYCAN, TÜRKİYE VE GÜRCİSTAN ÖRNEKLERİ

Öz

Bu çalışma, Azerbaycan, Türkiye ve Gürcistan’da inovasyonun ekonomik büyümeyi nasıl yönlendirdiğini ortaya koyan yolları ve mekanizmaları incelemektedir. Azerbaycan Cumhuriyeti Devlet İstatistik Komitesi, Gürcistan Ulusal İstatistik Ofisi, Türkiye İstatistik Kurumu, Küresel İnovasyon Endeksi, Dünya Bankası, IMF ve OECD gibi ulusal ve uluslararası kaynaklardan elde edilen veriler kullanılarak yapılan analiz, ekonomik dönüşümde inovasyonun rolünü değerlendirmek amacıyla geniş bir makroekonomik ve inovasyona ilişkin gösterge yelpazesine odaklanmaktadır. Çalışma, uzun vadeli ekonomik büyümeyi teşvik eden temel faktörler olarak satın alma gücü paritesine göre Gayri Safi Yurtiçi Hasıla (GSYH), kişi başına düşen GSYH, iş gücü verimliliği, Araştırma ve geliştirme harcamaları, patent çıktısı, yüksek teknoloji imalatı ve ihracatı, bilgi ve iletişim teknolojileri hizmetleri ihracatı, eğitim harcamaları, yükseköğretim kayıt oranları ile fen ve mühendislik mezunlarının payının önemini vurgulamaktadır. Karşılaştırmalı bir yaklaşım benimsenerek, üç ülkenin farklı kalkınma yolları öne çıkarılmakta; aynı zamanda inovasyona dayalı dönüşüm için ortak zorluklar ve fırsatlar belirlenmektedir. Elde edilen bulgular, inovasyonun bu ülkelerde ekonomik çeşitliliği ve rekabetçiliği artırmada kritik bir rol oynadığını göstermektedir. Çalışma, sürdürülebilir inovasyon ekosistemleri inşa edebilmek için insan sermayesine, altyapıya ve Ar-Ge faaliyetlerine yönelik koordineli politika önlemleri ve yatırımların gerekliliğinin altını çizmektedir. Bu araştırmadan elde edilen bulgular, Azerbaycan, Türkiye ve Gürcistan'ın inovasyon kapasitesini güçlendirmede politika yapıcılar, iş dünyası liderleri ve akademik kurumlar için değerli bir rehber niteliğindedir. Ayrıca, çalışmada inovasyonun ekonomik büyüme üzerindeki somut etkisinin daha derinlemesine değerlendirilebilmesi için ampirik vaka analizlerini ve nicel değerlendirmeleri içeren gelecekteki araştırmalara ihtiyaç olduğu vurgulanmaktadır.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• İnovasyon odaklı büyüme
• ekonomik kalkınma
• dijital ekonomi
• hükümet politikası
• teknolojik inovasyon

Kaynakça

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