OECD Leaders and Turkey: In Terms of The Relationship of Research and Development Expenditures and Country's Development: A Case Study

Abstract

Economic growth and development are primary goals of countries. Research and development (R&D) activities come forward in reflection of production factors' productivity on production process. This study compared the R&D works providing information about countries' economic, technological structures, and development levels. This study compared Turkey - one of the five OECD countries with highest GDP growth rate with South Korea and Israel and evaluated its position in R&D studies and its development. R&D data, which is considered most significant key to international competitive advantage and progression, were addressed. The indicators such as South Korea, Israel, and Turkey's R&D expenditure ratios to their Gross Domestic Product (GDP), number of patents of these countries, private sector's high-technology products share in R&D, and Turkey R&D expenditure shares by industries were examined in this study. As a result, it was observed that policies implemented by South Korea and Israel in development of R&D activities are private sector-oriented and supportive. It was determined that Turkey has not yet completed its current development at a sufficient level compared to these two countries but has improved over last two years. By targeting further, Turkey needs to achieve progression to gain a competitive advantage on a large scale.