SECTORAL CLUSTERS IN TURKEY: IDENTIFYING REGIONAL HIGHLIGHTS

Sedef AKGÜNGÖR (Işık University)

Sectoral clusters are interconnected networks of enterprises that are involved in a particular sector and produce or sell complementary products related to the industry. The interconnected enterprises involve specialized suppliers, service providers, firms in related industries and associated institutions. The significance of cluster is based on the idea that the firms will benefit on being a part of a sectoral cluster and that inter-firm linkages affects the performance of the firms in the region.

The principle purpose of the paper is to demonstrate the presence of sectoral clusters and find out their regional characteristics by examining clusters' value added, employment, and number of firms, productivity. The study uses sale and purchase data from the Turkish 1996 I-O table. Pairs of industries are correlated based on selling and purchasing patterns. The correlation matrix that represent the degree of similarities across industries form the data for factor analysis whose aim is to group industries with similar selling and purchasing patterns.

The analysis results are expected to demonstrate the presence industry clusters in the Turkish manufacturing industry and identify their regional highlights. The research results are expected to provide relevant information in developing regional policies to promote cooperation among the firms within identified clusters.