A Comparative Study on the Technopark Ecosystems for Region-Specific Approaches: The Case of Erciyes and Mersin

Abstract

Technoparks are seen as a means of strengthening the dynamics of the local/regional economy by attracting high-tech firms. However, studies focusing on technoparks in relation to the regional innovation systems are limited. The paper aims to explore technopark ecosystems, the role of universities, technopark management and regional actors, cooperation potentials and innovation processes, taking into account the specificity of the region in which it is located. The research was conducted in two city-regions taking into account the studies concentrated in Turkey's most developed metropolitan cities, and aimed to contribute to the gap in this field. For the purpose of the research, the interviews with relevant actors and the results of the workshop held in the next stage were combined with secondary data regarding city-regions. The results of this research support that technoparks as a policy tool for both innovation and regional development, cannot be proposed as a one-size fits all model. The case of Erciyes Technopark provided advantages through Kayseri's focus on production and export, its efforts to achieve structural transformation in the industry, strong social networks, entrepreneurial culture and loyalty to the city, the strong effect on the cities in its vicinity, and the power of political relations. Although Mersin Technopark is located in an important port city, its success is inhibited by the limited strength of the city's industrial infrastructure, and limited human capital capacity regarding the high immigration.