(corresponding author) Assistant Professor Department of Economics, Faculty of Economic and Administrative Sciences, Balıkesir University Çağış Campus – 10145 Balıkesir/Turkey E-mail: erkul@balikesir.edu.tr ORCID: 0000-0001-8652-4750
Faculty of Economic and Administrative Sciences, Balıkesir University
Mustafa Cem Kırankabeş, PhD Full Professor Department of Economics, Faculty of Economic and Administrative Sciences, Balıkesir University, Turkey E-mail: cem@balikesir.edu.tr ORCID: 0000-00002-0807-5897
This study aims to evaluate the medium-term impact of regional agglomerations in the manufacturing sector of Turkey on export performance. To this end, we identified Porter-type agglomerations in ISIC two-digit manufacturing sectors for 58 NUTS-3 regions and the 2008-2019 period. In the empirical analysis section, we used a two-way fixed effects panel data model to analyze the effects of these agglomerations on sectoral export performance. The findings indicate that the advantages of Porter-type agglomeration are limited to certain mid-tech sectors. Also, labor-intensive low-tech manufacturing sectors are found to have no agglomeration advantages in export performance compared to mid-tech sectors. The findings indicate a technology policy need and an inclusive smart specialization strategy (3S) to enhance productivity and export competitiveness.
