Innovation in Türkiye and Egypt: The role of national culture

Authors : Deena Saleh
Pages : 100-118
Doi:10.46928/iticusbe.1560472
View : 35 | Download : 9
Publication Date : 2025-03-28
Article Type : Research Paper
Abstract :The dynamic globe where we live necessitates research on innovation and entrepreneurship as factors fostering economic growth, competitiveness, and technological advancement. This study aims to understand the relationship between national culture dimensions and innovation in Egypt and Türkiye, and to analyze which cultural dimension contributes national innovation. The study adopts a theoretical approach using secondary data from Hofstede’s cultural model, and Global Innovation Index (GII) indicators as a measurement of innovation. Data covers 2013-2023. It is found out that despite sharing cultural similarities like high uncertainty avoidance and power distance, Egypt and Türkiye differ in individualism and indulgence, whereas Egypt is highly collectivist, compared to Türkiye. High power distance in both countries reflects a lack of egalitarianism and can impede communication and innovation. Egypt and Türkiye have high scores on short-term orientation. This necessitates a more pragmatic approach, considering the future by focusing on education and its long-run returns. According to the GII, the performance in Egypt and Türkiye, is at expectations for their level of development, relative to their GDP. In terms of innovation, Egypt and Türkiye share weaknesses concerning their business policies and the stability of their operational environments. These deficiencies reflect systematic problems slowing the pace of innovative processes. While this study aims to provide a theoretical foundation, empirical research is necessary to analyze further how Egypt and Türkiye can increase their innovative capacity, considering their national cultural values. Moving beyond a mere focus on scores on cultural dimensions, even within a single cultural cluster like the MENA region, is a prerequisite for research on innovation. This highlights the need for a multifaceted approach to understand the exact reasons impeding innovative activities in each country. Also, country-based structural challenges that the GII identifies should be considered while acknowledging the cultural structure of society.
Keywords : Ulusal Kültür, İnovasyon, Türkiye, Mısır, Küresel İnovasyon Endeksi

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