HIGH-TECHNOLOGY EXPORTS AND ECONOMIC FREEDOM: NEW INSIGHTS FOR THE TOP HIGH-TECH EXPORTERS

Authors : Müge Peştere-akçay, Dilek Durusu Çiftçi, Gamze Kargın Akkoç

Pages : 609-625

Doi:10.53092/duiibfd.1613375

View : 89 | Download : 248

Publication Date : 2025-11-30

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Recent literature emphasizes that if export composition consists mostly of high-tech exports, increasing international competitiveness encourages the production of high-value-added goods and supports productivity enhancements within the country. This study aims to contribute by analyzing this literature by examining the effect of economic freedom, its sub-components, and interactions on high-tech exports for top high-tech exporters by focusing R&D. We calculated the average of high-tech exports from 2009-2023 and then selected the countries whose average high-tech exports are at least the world average. Our analysis reveals two important findings: (i) The aggregated Economic Freedom Index (EFI) and its sub-components—namely, regulatory efficiency, market openness, and the rule of law—have positive and statistically significant effects on HTE. (ii) While R&D and EFI individually contribute positively to HTE, their interaction often yields a counterintuitive negative effect. This suggests that the positive impact of R&D on export performance may be constrained or diluted in highly liberalized institutional settings. Therefore, we provide important implications for policy makers.
Keywords : Yüksek Teknoloji İhracatı, Ekonomik Özgürlük, Panel Veri Analizi, Kurumsal İktisat

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