Abstract:

On the basis of factor intensity, according to SITC trade classification, goods are divided into 5 groups which are raw material-intensive, labor-intensive, capital-intensive, easy to imitate science-based, hard to imitate science-based. Interms of value added that created as a result of production and export, labor-intensive goods are take part in the last ranks among those mentioned. A country's comparative advantages in international markets is based on the abundance of science-based goods now. In this study, between the years 1993-2009, comparative advantages in exports of labor-intensive goods of Turkey and macro-economic variables connection of such advantages with macro-economic variables were attempted to analyze. Measurement of comparative advantages was made via calculation of revealed comparative advantage index. Regression results found in the study are demonstrate that export unit value index, unemployment rate, private sector loans, the number of investment incentive certificates in manufacturing industry, GDP and minimum wage changes affect the export competitiveness of labor-intensive goods. By the year 2009, it is seen that Turkey has continued to comparative advantage in exports of labor-intensive goods which is called as low technology and traditional.

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