Analysis of Provincial Export Performance in Türkiye: A Spectral Clustering Approach

Authors : Emre Akusta

Pages : 123-140

Doi:10.18069/firatsbed.1506892

View : 60 | Download : 53

Publication Date : 2025-01-24

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :This study analyzes and clusters Turkiye\\\'s 81 provinces based on their export performance. The study uses import, export and net export data for 2023. In addition, exchange rate-adjusted versions of the data were also included to eliminate the effects of exchange rate fluctuations. Spectral clustering method is used to group the export performance of cities. The optimum number of clusters was determined by the Eigen-Gap method. The Silhouette coefficient method was used to evaluate the clustering performance. As a result of the analysis, it was determined that the data set was optimally separated into 3 clusters. Spectral-clustering analysis based on export performance showed that 42% of the provinces are in the \\\"Low\\\", 33% in the \\\"Medium\\\" and 25% in the \\\"High\\\" export performance category. In terms of import performance, 44%, 33%, 33%, and 22% of the provinces are in the \\\"Medium\\\", \\\"High\\\", and \\\"Low\\\" categories, respectively. In terms of net exports, 38, 35% and 27% of the provinces are in the \\\"Low\\\", \\\"Medium\\\" and \\\"High\\\" net export performance categories, respectively. İzmir has the highest net export performance, while İstanbul has the lowest.
Keywords : İhracat Performansı, Spektral Kümeleme, Eigen-Gap Yöntemi, Silhouette Katsayısı, türkiyenin illeri