The Role of Absorptive Capacity in R&D Firms’ Location Choice

Year 2025, Volume: 33 Issue: 64, 131 - 158

Büşra Akın , Ümit K. Seyfettinoğlu

Abstract

This study investigates the location choice behaviour of firms engaged in R&D activities in Türkiye. The primary objective is to analyse the effect of firm absorptive capacity on location choice. The empirical analysis is based on a firm-oriented approach, considering location as a source of knowledge-based competitive advantage. The TurkStat Research and Development Activities Survey (2019) Micro Data Set is the primary data source. The cross-sectional data set, created for 2019, includes data on 5,871 firms in the Micro Data Set. The geographical scope of the sample is NUTS Level 1 regions, where the headquarters of the R&D firm is located. The estimation method is the Nested Logit model. Results indicate that R&D firms in Türkiye tend to be located in regions with intense knowledge spillovers and favourable demand conditions. This results in an uneven distribution of R&D firms across regions. It is clear from the study's evidence that policymakers should consider the unique competencies and objectives of firms and regions in designing regional development and industrial policies.

Keywords

Location Choice, Firm Location, Absorptive Capacity, R&D, Regional Development

Thanks

We would like to thank TurkStat Antalya Regional Office Directorate, especially the personnel of the Data Research Centre, for providing technical support in accessing the Micro Data Set.

Ar-Ge Firmalarının Yerleşim Seçiminde Özümseme Kapasitesinin Rolü

Abstract

Bu çalışma, Türkiye’de Ar-Ge faaliyeti yürüten firmaların yerleşim seçim davranışını araştırmaktadır. Birincil amaç, firma özümseme kapasitesinin yerleşim seçimi üzerindeki etkisini analiz etmektir. Çalışmanın ampirik analizi, firma-odaklı bir yaklaşıma dayanmakta ve yerleşimin bilgiye dayalı rekabetçi güç kaynağı olmasını göz önüne almaktadır. Temel veri kaynağı, TÜİK Mali ve Mali Olmayan Şirketler Araştırma-Geliştirme Faaliyetleri Araştırması (2019) Mikro Veri Setidir. 2019 yılı için oluşturulan yatay kesit veri seti İBBS Düzey 1 bölgelerinde Ar-Ge faaliyetinde bulunan 5 bin 871 firmayı içermektedir. Tahmin yöntemi, Nested Logit modeldir. Sonuçlara göre Türkiye’deki Ar-Ge firmaları, bilgi ortamı ve talep koşulları bakımından elverişli yerleri seçme eğilimindedir. Bu eğilim, Ar-Ge firmalarının bölgeler arasında eşitsiz dağılmasıyla sonuçlanmaktadır. Dolayısıyla, politika yapıcıların bölgesel kalkınma ve sanayi politikaları tasarlarken firmaların ve bölgelerin yetenekleri ve hedeflerini dikkate alması elzemdir.

Keywords

Yerleşim Seçimi, Firma Yerleşimi, Özümseme Kapasitesi, Ar-Ge, Bölgesel Kalkınma

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