By Murat Akpinar & Melike Mermercioglu, JAMK University of Applied Sciences, Finland and Koç University, Turkey, presented at the 16th TCI Global Conference, Kolding 2013.

1. Knowledge-driven Entrepreneurship in Clusters:
A Comparative Study of Two Information
Technology Clusters in Turkey and Finland
Murat Akpinar & Melike Mermercioglu
Academic Summit: Innovation and business models in clusters
4 September 2013

3. Outline
1. Objectives
2. Theoretical framework
3. Methodology
4. Results
5. Implications and future prospects

4. Objectives
• Assess the knowledge potentials of clusters and identify
dimensions that lead to enhanced entrepreneurial
activity
• Understand how clusters in advanced economies
perform in their knowledge potential vs. clusters in
emerging economies

5. Theoretical Framework
The emerald model adapted from Sasson and Reve (2012)

6. Hypotheses
Educational attractiveness
Talent attractiveness
R&D&I attractiveness
Ownership attractiveness
Environmental attractiveness
Cluster attractiveness
Knowledge dynamics
Level of
entrepreneurial
activity / new
business
development
Knowledge
potential
++
+
+
+
+
+
+

7. Cluster benchmarking (1)
IT cluster in Sariyer, Istanbul IT cluster in Central Finland
Location and cluster
characteristics
Emerging economy, large domestic
market, constructed cluster
(technopark at university campus),
both SMEs and large companies
Advanced economy, small domestic
market, evolutionary cluster, mostly
small companies
Cluster size No. of companies: 86
Total employment: 3,832
Annual revenue: 86 million Euro
No. of companies: 410
Total employment: 2,913
Annual revenue: 527 million Euro
Educational
attractiveness
5 universities, admitting 1,049
students per year to IT studies.
Graduates per year: 701 (582
bachelor, 102 master, 17 doctoral)
Equally Attractive
2 universities, admitting ca. 400
students per year to IT related studies.
Graduates per year: 354 (223
bachelor, 115 master, 16 doctoral)
Equally Attractive
Talent attractiveness PPP adjusted (vs. Finland) average
monthly salary: 6,136 Euro
49% more than average salary in
Turkey
More Attractive
Average monthly salary: 4,500 Euro
42% more than average salary in
Finland
Attractive

8. Cluster benchmarking (1)
IT cluster in Sariyer, Istanbul IT cluster in Central Finland
Location and cluster
characteristics
Emerging economy, large domestic
market, constructed cluster
(technopark at university campus),
both SMEs and large companies
Advanced economy, small domestic
market, evolutionary cluster, mostly
small companies
Cluster size No. of companies: 86
Total employment: 3,832
Annual revenue: 86 million Euro
No. of companies: 410
Total employment: 2,913
Annual revenue: 527 million Euro
Educational
attractiveness
5 universities, admitting 1,049
students per year to IT studies.
Graduates per year: 701 (582
bachelor, 102 master, 17 doctoral)
Equally Attractive
2 universities, admitting ca. 400
students per year to IT related studies.
Graduates per year: 354 (223
bachelor, 115 master, 16 doctoral)
Equally Attractive
Talent attractiveness PPP adjusted (vs. Finland) average
monthly salary: 6,136 Euro
49% more than average salary in
Turkey
More Attractive
Average monthly salary: 4,500 Euro
42% more than average salary in
Finland
Attractive

9. Cluster benchmarking (1)
IT cluster in Sariyer, Istanbul IT cluster in Central Finland
Location and cluster
characteristics
Emerging economy, large domestic
market, constructed cluster
(technopark at university campus),
both SMEs and large companies
Advanced economy, small domestic
market, evolutionary cluster, mostly
small companies
Cluster size No. of companies: 86
Total employment: 3,832
Annual revenue: 86 million Euro
No. of companies: 410
Total employment: 2,913
Annual revenue: 527 million Euro
Educational
attractiveness
5 universities, admitting 1,049
students per year to IT studies.
Graduates per year: 701 (582
bachelor, 102 master, 17 doctoral)
Equally Attractive
2 universities, admitting ca. 400
students per year to IT related studies.
Graduates per year: 354 (223
bachelor, 115 master, 16 doctoral)
Equally Attractive
Talent attractiveness PPP adjusted (vs. Finland) average
monthly salary: 6,136 Euro
49% more than average salary in
Turkey
More Attractive
Average monthly salary: 4,500 Euro
42% more than average salary in
Finland
Attractive

10. Cluster benchmarking (1)
IT cluster in Sariyer, Istanbul IT cluster in Central Finland
Location and cluster
characteristics
Emerging economy, large domestic
market, constructed cluster
(technopark at university campus),
both SMEs and large companies
Advanced economy, small domestic
market, evolutionary cluster, mostly
small companies
Cluster size No. of companies: 86
Total employment: 3,832
Annual revenue: 86 million Euro
No. of companies: 410
Total employment: 2,913
Annual revenue: 527 million Euro
Educational
attractiveness
5 universities, admitting 1,049
students per year to IT studies.
Graduates per year: 701 (582
bachelor, 102 master, 17 doctoral)
Equally Attractive
2 universities, admitting ca. 400
students per year to IT related studies.
Graduates per year: 354 (223
bachelor, 115 master, 16 doctoral)
Equally Attractive
Talent attractiveness PPP adjusted (vs. Finland) average
monthly salary: 6,136 Euro
49% more than average salary in
Turkey
More Attractive
Average monthly salary: 4,500 Euro
42% more than average salary in
Finland
Attractive

11. Cluster benchmarking (1)
IT cluster in Sariyer, Istanbul IT cluster in Central Finland
Location and cluster
characteristics
Emerging economy, large domestic
market, constructed cluster
(technopark at university campus),
both SMEs and large companies
Advanced economy, small domestic
market, evolutionary cluster, mostly
small companies
Cluster size No. of companies: 86
Total employment: 3,832
Annual revenue: 86 million Euro
No. of companies: 410
Total employment: 2,913
Annual revenue: 527 million Euro
Educational
attractiveness
5 universities, admitting 1,049
students per year to IT studies.
Graduates per year: 701 (582
bachelor, 102 master, 17 doctoral)
Equally Attractive
2 universities, admitting ca. 400
students per year to IT related studies.
Graduates per year: 354 (223
bachelor, 115 master, 16 doctoral)
Equally Attractive
Talent attractiveness PPP adjusted (vs. Finland) average
monthly salary: 6,136 Euro
49% more than average salary in
Turkey
More Attractive
Average monthly salary: 4,500 Euro
42% more than average salary in
Finland
Attractive

12. Cluster benchmarking (1)
IT cluster in Sariyer, Istanbul IT cluster in Central Finland
Location and cluster
characteristics
Emerging economy, large domestic
market, constructed cluster
(technopark at university campus),
both SMEs and large companies
Advanced economy, small domestic
market, evolutionary cluster, mostly
small companies
Cluster size No. of companies: 86
Total employment: 3,832
Annual revenue: 86 million Euro
No. of companies: 410
Total employment: 2,913
Annual revenue: 527 million Euro
Educational
attractiveness
5 universities, admitting 1,049
students per year to IT studies.
Graduates per year: 701 (582
bachelor, 102 master, 17 doctoral)
Equally Attractive
2 universities, admitting ca. 400
students per year to IT related studies.
Graduates per year: 354 (223
bachelor, 115 master, 16 doctoral)
Equally Attractive
Talent attractiveness PPP adjusted (vs. Finland) average
monthly salary: 6,136 Euro
49% more than average salary in
Turkey
More Attractive
Average monthly salary: 4,500 Euro
42% more than average salary in
Finland
Attractive

13. Cluster benchmarking (1)
IT cluster in Sariyer, Istanbul IT cluster in Central Finland
Location and cluster
characteristics
Emerging economy, large domestic
market, constructed cluster
(technopark at university campus),
both SMEs and large companies
Advanced economy, small domestic
market, evolutionary cluster, mostly
small companies
Cluster size No. of companies: 86
Total employment: 3,832
Annual revenue: 86 million Euro
No. of companies: 410
Total employment: 2,913
Annual revenue: 527 million Euro
Educational
attractiveness
5 universities, admitting 1,049
students per year to IT studies.
Graduates per year: 701 (582
bachelor, 102 master, 17 doctoral)
Equally Attractive
2 universities, admitting ca. 400
students per year to IT related studies.
Graduates per year: 354 (223
bachelor, 115 master, 16 doctoral)
Equally Attractive
Talent attractiveness PPP adjusted (vs. Finland) average
monthly salary: 6,136 Euro
49% more than average salary in
Turkey
More Attractive
Average monthly salary: 4,500 Euro
42% more than average salary in
Finland
Attractive

14. Cluster benchmarking (1)
IT cluster in Sariyer, Istanbul IT cluster in Central Finland
Location and cluster
characteristics
Emerging economy, large domestic
market, constructed cluster
(technopark at university campus),
both SMEs and large companies
Advanced economy, small domestic
market, evolutionary cluster, mostly
small companies
Cluster size No. of companies: 86
Total employment: 3,832
Annual revenue: 86 million Euro
No. of companies: 410
Total employment: 2,913
Annual revenue: 527 million Euro
Educational
attractiveness
5 universities, admitting 1,049
students per year to IT studies.
Graduates per year: 701 (582
bachelor, 102 master, 17 doctoral)
Equally Attractive
2 universities, admitting ca. 400
students per year to IT related studies.
Graduates per year: 354 (223
bachelor, 115 master, 16 doctoral)
Equally Attractive
Talent attractiveness PPP adjusted (vs. Finland) average
monthly salary: 6,136 Euro
49% more than average salary in
Turkey
More Attractive
Average monthly salary: 4,500 Euro
42% more than average salary in
Finland
Attractive

15. Cluster benchmarking (1)
IT cluster in Sariyer, Istanbul IT cluster in Central Finland
Location and cluster
characteristics
Emerging economy, large domestic
market, constructed cluster
(technopark at university campus),
both SMEs and large companies
Advanced economy, small domestic
market, evolutionary cluster, mostly
small companies
Cluster size No. of companies: 86
Total employment: 3,832
Annual revenue: 86 million Euro
No. of companies: 410
Total employment: 2,913
Annual revenue: 527 million Euro
Educational
attractiveness
5 universities, admitting 1,049
students per year to IT studies.
Graduates per year: 701 (582
bachelor, 102 master, 17 doctoral)
2 universities, admitting ca. 400
students per year to IT related studies.
Graduates per year: 354 (223
bachelor, 115 master, 16 doctoral)
Equally Attractive
Talent attractiveness PPP adjusted (vs. Finland) average
monthly salary: 6,136 Euro
49% more than average salary in
Turkey
More Attractive
Average monthly salary: 4,500 Euro
42% more than average salary in
Finland
Attractive

16. Cluster benchmarking (1)
IT cluster in Sariyer, Istanbul IT cluster in Central Finland
Location and cluster
characteristics
Emerging economy, large domestic
market, constructed cluster
(technopark at university campus),
both SMEs and large companies
Advanced economy, small domestic
market, evolutionary cluster, mostly
small companies
Cluster size No. of companies: 86
Total employment: 3,832
Annual revenue: 86 million Euro
No. of companies: 410
Total employment: 2,913
Annual revenue: 527 million Euro
Educational
attractiveness
5 universities, admitting 1,049
students per year to IT studies.
Graduates per year: 701 (582
bachelor, 102 master, 17 doctoral)
2 universities, admitting ca. 400
students per year to IT related studies.
Graduates per year: 354 (223
bachelor, 115 master, 16 doctoral)
Talent attractiveness PPP adjusted (vs. Finland) average
monthly salary: 6,136 Euro
49% more than average salary in
Turkey
More Attractive
Average monthly salary: 4,500 Euro
42% more than average salary in
Finland
Attractive

17. Cluster benchmarking (1)
IT cluster in Sariyer, Istanbul IT cluster in Central Finland
Location and cluster
characteristics
Emerging economy, large domestic
market, constructed cluster
(technopark at university campus),
both SMEs and large companies
Advanced economy, small domestic
market, evolutionary cluster, mostly
small companies
Cluster size No. of companies: 86
Total employment: 3,832
Annual revenue: 86 million Euro
No. of companies: 410
Total employment: 2,913
Annual revenue: 527 million Euro
Educational
attractiveness
5 universities, admitting 1,049
students per year to IT studies.
Graduates per year: 701 (582
bachelor, 102 master, 17 doctoral)
Equally Attractive
2 universities, admitting ca. 400
students per year to IT related studies.
Graduates per year: 354 (223
bachelor, 115 master, 16 doctoral)
Equally Attractive
Talent attractiveness PPP adjusted (vs. Finland) average
monthly salary: 6,136 Euro
49% more than average salary in
Turkey
More Attractive
Average monthly salary: 4,500 Euro
42% more than average salary in
Finland
Attractive

18. Cluster benchmarking (1)
IT cluster in Sariyer, Istanbul IT cluster in Central Finland
Location and cluster
characteristics
Emerging economy, large domestic
market, constructed cluster
(technopark at university campus),
both SMEs and large companies
Advanced economy, small domestic
market, evolutionary cluster, mostly
small companies
Cluster size No. of companies: 86
Total employment: 3,832
Annual revenue: 86 million Euro
No. of companies: 410
Total employment: 2,913
Annual revenue: 527 million Euro
Educational
attractiveness
5 universities, admitting 1,049
students per year to IT studies.
Graduates per year: 701 (582
bachelor, 102 master, 17 doctoral)
Equally Attractive
2 universities, admitting ca. 400
students per year to IT related studies.
Graduates per year: 354 (223
bachelor, 115 master, 16 doctoral)
Equally Attractive
Talent attractiveness PPP adjusted (vs. Finland) average
monthly salary: 6,136 Euro
49% more than average salary in
Turkey
More Attractive
Average monthly salary: 4,500 Euro
42% more than average salary in
Finland
Attractive

19. Cluster benchmarking (1)
IT cluster in Sariyer, Istanbul IT cluster in Central Finland
Location and cluster
characteristics
Emerging economy, large domestic
market, constructed cluster
(technopark at university campus),
both SMEs and large companies
Advanced economy, small domestic
market, evolutionary cluster, mostly
small companies
Cluster size No. of companies: 86
Total employment: 3,832
Annual revenue: 86 million Euro
No. of companies: 410
Total employment: 2,913
Annual revenue: 527 million Euro
Educational
attractiveness
5 universities, admitting 1,049
students per year to IT studies.
Graduates per year: 701 (582
bachelor, 102 master, 17 doctoral)
Equally Attractive
2 universities, admitting ca. 400
students per year to IT related studies.
Graduates per year: 354 (223
bachelor, 115 master, 16 doctoral)
Equally Attractive
Talent attractiveness PPP adjusted (vs. Finland) average
monthly salary: 6,136 Euro
49% more than average salary in
Turkey
Average monthly salary: 4,500 Euro
42% more than average salary in
Finland
Attractive

20. Cluster benchmarking (1)
IT cluster in Sariyer, Istanbul IT cluster in Central Finland
Location and cluster
characteristics
Emerging economy, large domestic
market, constructed cluster
(technopark at university campus),
both SMEs and large companies
Advanced economy, small domestic
market, evolutionary cluster, mostly
small companies
Cluster size No. of companies: 86
Total employment: 3,832
Annual revenue: 86 million Euro
No. of companies: 410
Total employment: 2,913
Annual revenue: 527 million Euro
Educational
attractiveness
5 universities, admitting 1,049
students per year to IT studies.
Graduates per year: 701 (582
bachelor, 102 master, 17 doctoral)
Equally Attractive
2 universities, admitting ca. 400
students per year to IT related studies.
Graduates per year: 354 (223
bachelor, 115 master, 16 doctoral)
Equally Attractive
Talent attractiveness PPP adjusted (vs. Finland) average
monthly salary: 6,136 Euro
49% more than average salary in
Turkey
Average monthly salary: 4,500 Euro
42% more than average salary in
Finland

21. Cluster benchmarking (1)
IT cluster in Sariyer, Istanbul IT cluster in Central Finland
Location and cluster
characteristics
Emerging economy, large domestic
market, constructed cluster
(technopark at university campus),
both SMEs and large companies
Advanced economy, small domestic
market, evolutionary cluster, mostly
small companies
Cluster size No. of companies: 86
Total employment: 3,832
Annual revenue: 86 million Euro
No. of companies: 410
Total employment: 2,913
Annual revenue: 527 million Euro
Educational
attractiveness
5 universities, admitting 1,049
students per year to IT studies.
Graduates per year: 701 (582
bachelor, 102 master, 17 doctoral)
Equally Attractive
2 universities, admitting ca. 400
students per year to IT related studies.
Graduates per year: 354 (223
bachelor, 115 master, 16 doctoral)
Equally Attractive
Talent attractiveness PPP adjusted (vs. Finland) average
monthly salary: 6,136 Euro
49% more than average salary in
Turkey
More Attractive
Average monthly salary: 4,500 Euro
42% more than average salary in
Finland
Attractive

22. Cluster benchmarking (2)
IT cluster in Sariyer, Istanbul IT cluster in Central Finland
R&D&I
attractiveness
No. of patents per year: 15
Annual R&D spending (Turkey in
2011): USD 839 million
Not Attractive
No. of patents per year: 67
Annual R&D spending (Finland in
2011): USD 3,185 million
Very Attractive
Ownership
attractiveness
FDI in IT sector (Turkey, 2007 –
2011): USD 455 million (0.6% of
all FDI)
Total of 10 venture capital
investments since 2003
Not Attractive
FDI in IT sector (Finland, 2007 –
2011): USD 2,719 million (12.8% of
all FDI)
Venture capital 4% of all investments
Better public funding opportunities
More Attractive
Environmental
attractiveness
Waste per person per day: 2.58 kg
Air pollution (PM10): 66 ug/m3
Constructing renewable energy
cluster nearby
Not Directly Relevant
Waste per person per day: 0.73 kg
Air pollution (PM10): 19 ug/m3
Leading bioenergy cluster nearby
Not Directly Relevant

23. Cluster benchmarking (2)
IT cluster in Sariyer, Istanbul IT cluster in Central Finland
R&D&I
attractiveness
No. of patents per year: 15
Annual R&D spending (Turkey in
2011): USD 839 million
No. of patents per year: 67
Annual R&D spending (Finland in
2011): USD 3,185 million
Very Attractive
Ownership
attractiveness
FDI in IT sector (Turkey, 2007 –
2011): USD 455 million (0.6% of
all FDI)
Total of 10 venture capital
investments since 2003
Not Attractive
FDI in IT sector (Finland, 2007 –
2011): USD 2,719 million (12.8% of
all FDI)
Venture capital 4% of all investments
Better public funding opportunities
More Attractive
Environmental
attractiveness
Waste per person per day: 2.58 kg
Air pollution (PM10): 66 ug/m3
Constructing renewable energy
cluster nearby
Not Directly Relevant
Waste per person per day: 0.73 kg
Air pollution (PM10): 19 ug/m3
Leading bioenergy cluster nearby
Not Directly Relevant

24. Cluster benchmarking (2)
IT cluster in Sariyer, Istanbul IT cluster in Central Finland
R&D&I
attractiveness
No. of patents per year: 15
Annual R&D spending (Turkey in
2011): USD 839 million
No. of patents per year: 67
Annual R&D spending (Finland in
2011): USD 3,185 million
Ownership
attractiveness
FDI in IT sector (Turkey, 2007 –
2011): USD 455 million (0.6% of
all FDI)
Total of 10 venture capital
investments since 2003
Not Attractive
FDI in IT sector (Finland, 2007 –
2011): USD 2,719 million (12.8% of
all FDI)
Venture capital 4% of all investments
Better public funding opportunities
More Attractive
Environmental
attractiveness
Waste per person per day: 2.58 kg
Air pollution (PM10): 66 ug/m3
Constructing renewable energy
cluster nearby
Not Directly Relevant
Waste per person per day: 0.73 kg
Air pollution (PM10): 19 ug/m3
Leading bioenergy cluster nearby
Not Directly Relevant

25. Cluster benchmarking (2)
IT cluster in Sariyer, Istanbul IT cluster in Central Finland
R&D&I
attractiveness
No. of patents per year: 15
Annual R&D spending (Turkey in
2011): USD 839 million
Not Attractive
No. of patents per year: 67
Annual R&D spending (Finland in
2011): USD 3,185 million
Very Attractive
Ownership
attractiveness
FDI in IT sector (Turkey, 2007 –
2011): USD 455 million (0.6% of
all FDI)
Total of 10 venture capital
investments since 2003
Not Attractive
FDI in IT sector (Finland, 2007 –
2011): USD 2,719 million (12.8% of
all FDI)
Venture capital 4% of all investments
Better public funding opportunities
More Attractive
Environmental
attractiveness
Waste per person per day: 2.58 kg
Air pollution (PM10): 66 ug/m3
Constructing renewable energy
cluster nearby
Not Directly Relevant
Waste per person per day: 0.73 kg
Air pollution (PM10): 19 ug/m3
Leading bioenergy cluster nearby
Not Directly Relevant

26. Cluster benchmarking (2)
IT cluster in Sariyer, Istanbul IT cluster in Central Finland
R&D&I
attractiveness
No. of patents per year: 15
Annual R&D spending (Turkey in
2011): USD 839 million
Not Attractive
No. of patents per year: 67
Annual R&D spending (Finland in
2011): USD 3,185 million
Very Attractive
Ownership
attractiveness
FDI in IT sector (Turkey, 2007 –
2011): USD 455 million (0.6% of
all FDI)
Total of 10 venture capital
investments since 2003
Not Attractive
FDI in IT sector (Finland, 2007 –
2011): USD 2,719 million (12.8% of
all FDI)
Venture capital 4% of all investments
Better public funding opportunities
More Attractive
Environmental
attractiveness
Waste per person per day: 2.58 kg
Air pollution (PM10): 66 ug/m3
Constructing renewable energy
cluster nearby
Not Directly Relevant
Waste per person per day: 0.73 kg
Air pollution (PM10): 19 ug/m3
Leading bioenergy cluster nearby
Not Directly Relevant

27. Cluster benchmarking (2)
IT cluster in Sariyer, Istanbul IT cluster in Central Finland
R&D&I
attractiveness
No. of patents per year: 15
Annual R&D spending (Turkey in
2011): USD 839 million
Not Attractive
No. of patents per year: 67
Annual R&D spending (Finland in
2011): USD 3,185 million
Very Attractive
Ownership
attractiveness
FDI in IT sector (Turkey, 2007 –
2011): USD 455 million (0.6% of
all FDI)
Total of 10 venture capital
investments since 2003
FDI in IT sector (Finland, 2007 –
2011): USD 2,719 million (12.8% of
all FDI)
Venture capital 4% of all investments
Better public funding opportunities
More Attractive
Environmental
attractiveness
Waste per person per day: 2.58 kg
Air pollution (PM10): 66 ug/m3
Constructing renewable energy
cluster nearby
Not Directly Relevant
Waste per person per day: 0.73 kg
Air pollution (PM10): 19 ug/m3
Leading bioenergy cluster nearby
Not Directly Relevant

28. Cluster benchmarking (2)
IT cluster in Sariyer, Istanbul IT cluster in Central Finland
R&D&I
attractiveness
No. of patents per year: 15
Annual R&D spending (Turkey in
2011): USD 839 million
Not Attractive
No. of patents per year: 67
Annual R&D spending (Finland in
2011): USD 3,185 million
Very Attractive
Ownership
attractiveness
FDI in IT sector (Turkey, 2007 –
2011): USD 455 million (0.6% of
all FDI)
Total of 10 venture capital
investments since 2003
FDI in IT sector (Finland, 2007 –
2011): USD 2,719 million (12.8% of
all FDI)
Venture capital 4% of all investments
Better public funding opportunities
Environmental
attractiveness
Waste per person per day: 2.58 kg
Air pollution (PM10): 66 ug/m3
Constructing renewable energy
cluster nearby
Not Directly Relevant
Waste per person per day: 0.73 kg
Air pollution (PM10): 19 ug/m3
Leading bioenergy cluster nearby
Not Directly Relevant

29. Cluster benchmarking (2)
IT cluster in Sariyer, Istanbul IT cluster in Central Finland
R&D&I
attractiveness
No. of patents per year: 15
Annual R&D spending (Turkey in
2011): USD 839 million
Not Attractive
No. of patents per year: 67
Annual R&D spending (Finland in
2011): USD 3,185 million
Very Attractive
Ownership
attractiveness
FDI in IT sector (Turkey, 2007 –
2011): USD 455 million (0.6% of
all FDI)
Total of 10 venture capital
investments since 2003
Not Attractive
FDI in IT sector (Finland, 2007 –
2011): USD 2,719 million (12.8% of
all FDI)
Venture capital 4% of all investments
Better public funding opportunities
More Attractive
Environmental
attractiveness
Waste per person per day: 2.58 kg
Air pollution (PM10): 66 ug/m3
Constructing renewable energy
cluster nearby
Not Directly Relevant
Waste per person per day: 0.73 kg
Air pollution (PM10): 19 ug/m3
Leading bioenergy cluster nearby
Not Directly Relevant

30. Cluster benchmarking (2)
IT cluster in Sariyer, Istanbul IT cluster in Central Finland
R&D&I
attractiveness
No. of patents per year: 15
Annual R&D spending (Turkey in
2011): USD 839 million
Not Attractive
No. of patents per year: 67
Annual R&D spending (Finland in
2011): USD 3,185 million
Very Attractive
Ownership
attractiveness
FDI in IT sector (Turkey, 2007 –
2011): USD 455 million (0.6% of
all FDI)
Total of 10 venture capital
investments since 2003
Not Attractive
FDI in IT sector (Finland, 2007 –
2011): USD 2,719 million (12.8% of
all FDI)
Venture capital 4% of all investments
Better public funding opportunities
More Attractive
Environmental
attractiveness
Waste per person per day: 2.58 kg
Air pollution (PM10): 66 ug/m3
Constructing renewable energy
cluster nearby
Not Directly Relevant
Waste per person per day: 0.73 kg
Air pollution (PM10): 19 ug/m3
Leading bioenergy cluster nearby
Not Directly Relevant

31. Cluster benchmarking (2)
IT cluster in Sariyer, Istanbul IT cluster in Central Finland
R&D&I
attractiveness
No. of patents per year: 15
Annual R&D spending (Turkey in
2011): USD 839 million
Not Attractive
No. of patents per year: 67
Annual R&D spending (Finland in
2011): USD 3,185 million
Very Attractive
Ownership
attractiveness
FDI in IT sector (Turkey, 2007 –
2011): USD 455 million (0.6% of
all FDI)
Total of 10 venture capital
investments since 2003
Not Attractive
FDI in IT sector (Finland, 2007 –
2011): USD 2,719 million (12.8% of
all FDI)
Venture capital 4% of all investments
Better public funding opportunities
More Attractive
Environmental
attractiveness
Waste per person per day: 2.58 kg
Air pollution (PM10): 66 ug/m3
Constructing renewable energy
cluster nearby
Waste per person per day: 0.73 kg
Air pollution (PM10): 19 ug/m3
Leading bioenergy cluster nearby
Not Directly Relevant

32. Cluster benchmarking (2)
IT cluster in Sariyer, Istanbul IT cluster in Central Finland
R&D&I
attractiveness
No. of patents per year: 15
Annual R&D spending (Turkey in
2011): USD 839 million
Not Attractive
No. of patents per year: 67
Annual R&D spending (Finland in
2011): USD 3,185 million
Very Attractive
Ownership
attractiveness
FDI in IT sector (Turkey, 2007 –
2011): USD 455 million (0.6% of
all FDI)
Total of 10 venture capital
investments since 2003
Not Attractive
FDI in IT sector (Finland, 2007 –
2011): USD 2,719 million (12.8% of
all FDI)
Venture capital 4% of all investments
Better public funding opportunities
More Attractive
Environmental
attractiveness
Waste per person per day: 2.58 kg
Air pollution (PM10): 66 ug/m3
Constructing renewable energy
cluster nearby
Waste per person per day: 0.73 kg
Air pollution (PM10): 19 ug/m3
Leading bioenergy cluster nearby
Not Directly Relevant

33. Cluster benchmarking (2)
IT cluster in Sariyer, Istanbul IT cluster in Central Finland
R&D&I
attractiveness
No. of patents per year: 15
Annual R&D spending (Turkey in
2011): USD 839 million
Not Attractive
No. of patents per year: 67
Annual R&D spending (Finland in
2011): USD 3,185 million
Very Attractive
Ownership
attractiveness
FDI in IT sector (Turkey, 2007 –
2011): USD 455 million (0.6% of
all FDI)
Total of 10 venture capital
investments since 2003
Not Attractive
FDI in IT sector (Finland, 2007 –
2011): USD 2,719 million (12.8% of
all FDI)
Venture capital 4% of all investments
Better public funding opportunities
More Attractive
Environmental
attractiveness
Waste per person per day: 2.58 kg
Air pollution (PM10): 66 ug/m3
Constructing renewable energy
cluster nearby
Waste per person per day: 0.73 kg
Air pollution (PM10): 19 ug/m3
Leading bioenergy cluster nearby

34. Cluster benchmarking (2)
IT cluster in Sariyer, Istanbul IT cluster in Central Finland
R&D&I
attractiveness
No. of patents per year: 15
Annual R&D spending (Turkey in
2011): USD 839 million
Not Attractive
No. of patents per year: 67
Annual R&D spending (Finland in
2011): USD 3,185 million
Very Attractive
Ownership
attractiveness
FDI in IT sector (Turkey, 2007 –
2011): USD 455 million (0.6% of
all FDI)
Total of 10 venture capital
investments since 2003
Not Attractive
FDI in IT sector (Finland, 2007 –
2011): USD 2,719 million (12.8% of
all FDI)
Venture capital 4% of all investments
Better public funding opportunities
More Attractive
Environmental
attractiveness
Waste per person per day: 2.58 kg
Air pollution (PM10): 66 ug/m3
Constructing renewable energy
cluster nearby
Not Directly Relevant
Waste per person per day: 0.73 kg
Air pollution (PM10): 19 ug/m3
Leading bioenergy cluster nearby
Not Directly Relevant

35. Cluster benchmarking (3)
IT cluster in Sariyer, Istanbul IT cluster in Central Finland
Cluster
attractiveness
Two-star cluster
Employment: 3,832 (4% of the region)
Regional agglomeration (LQ): 15.1
National agglomeration: 0.6
Attractive
Two-star cluster
Employment: 2,913 (4.6% of the
region)
Regional agglomeration (LQ): 7.5
National agglomeration: 1.4
Attractive
Knowledge
Dynamics
Moderate level of competition
Moderate level of cooperation (mostly
with customers)
Low level of employee turnover
Moderately Attractive
High level of competition
High level of cooperation with
customers and suppliers, moderate
levels with research institutes,
governmental organizations and related
industries, and lowest level with
competitors
Moderate level of employee turnover
More Attractive

36. Cluster benchmarking (3)
IT cluster in Sariyer, Istanbul IT cluster in Central Finland
Cluster
attractiveness
Two-star cluster
Employment: 3,832 (4% of the region)
Regional agglomeration (LQ): 15.1
National agglomeration: 0.6
Two-star cluster
Employment: 2,913 (4.6% of the
region)
Regional agglomeration (LQ): 7.5
National agglomeration: 1.4
Attractive
Knowledge
Dynamics
Moderate level of competition
Moderate level of cooperation (mostly
with customers)
Low level of employee turnover
Moderately Attractive
High level of competition
High level of cooperation with
customers and suppliers, moderate
levels with research institutes,
governmental organizations and related
industries, and lowest level with
competitors
Moderate level of employee turnover
More Attractive

37. Cluster benchmarking (3)
IT cluster in Sariyer, Istanbul IT cluster in Central Finland
Cluster
attractiveness
Two-star cluster
Employment: 3,832 (4% of the region)
Regional agglomeration (LQ): 15.1
National agglomeration: 0.6
Two-star cluster
Employment: 2,913 (4.6% of the
region)
Regional agglomeration (LQ): 7.5
National agglomeration: 1.4
Knowledge
Dynamics
Moderate level of competition
Moderate level of cooperation (mostly
with customers)
Low level of employee turnover
Moderately Attractive
High level of competition
High level of cooperation with
customers and suppliers, moderate
levels with research institutes,
governmental organizations and related
industries, and lowest level with
competitors
Moderate level of employee turnover
More Attractive

38. Cluster benchmarking (3)
IT cluster in Sariyer, Istanbul IT cluster in Central Finland
Cluster
attractiveness
Two-star cluster
Employment: 3,832 (4% of the region)
Regional agglomeration (LQ): 15.1
National agglomeration: 0.6
Attractive
Two-star cluster
Employment: 2,913 (4.6% of the
region)
Regional agglomeration (LQ): 7.5
National agglomeration: 1.4
Attractive
Knowledge
Dynamics
Moderate level of competition
Moderate level of cooperation (mostly
with customers)
Low level of employee turnover
Moderately Attractive
High level of competition
High level of cooperation with
customers and suppliers, moderate
levels with research institutes,
governmental organizations and related
industries, and lowest level with
competitors
Moderate level of employee turnover
More Attractive

39. Cluster benchmarking (3)
IT cluster in Sariyer, Istanbul IT cluster in Central Finland
Cluster
attractiveness
Two-star cluster
Employment: 3,832 (4% of the region)
Regional agglomeration (LQ): 15.1
National agglomeration: 0.6
Attractive
Two-star cluster
Employment: 2,913 (4.6% of the
region)
Regional agglomeration (LQ): 7.5
National agglomeration: 1.4
Attractive
Knowledge
Dynamics
Moderate level of competition
Moderate level of cooperation (mostly
with customers)
Low level of employee turnover
Moderately Attractive
High level of competition
High level of cooperation with
customers and suppliers, moderate
levels with research institutes,
governmental organizations and related
industries, and lowest level with
competitors
Moderate level of employee turnover
More Attractive

40. Cluster benchmarking (3)
IT cluster in Sariyer, Istanbul IT cluster in Central Finland
Cluster
attractiveness
Two-star cluster
Employment: 3,832 (4% of the region)
Regional agglomeration (LQ): 15.1
National agglomeration: 0.6
Attractive
Two-star cluster
Employment: 2,913 (4.6% of the
region)
Regional agglomeration (LQ): 7.5
National agglomeration: 1.4
Attractive
Knowledge
Dynamics
Moderate level of competition
Moderate level of cooperation (mostly
with customers)
Low level of employee turnover
High level of competition
High level of cooperation with
customers and suppliers, moderate
levels with research institutes,
governmental organizations and related
industries, and lowest level with
competitors
Moderate level of employee turnover
More Attractive

41. Cluster benchmarking (3)
IT cluster in Sariyer, Istanbul IT cluster in Central Finland
Cluster
attractiveness
Two-star cluster
Employment: 3,832 (4% of the region)
Regional agglomeration (LQ): 15.1
National agglomeration: 0.6
Attractive
Two-star cluster
Employment: 2,913 (4.6% of the
region)
Regional agglomeration (LQ): 7.5
National agglomeration: 1.4
Attractive
Knowledge
Dynamics
Moderate level of competition
Moderate level of cooperation (mostly
with customers)
Low level of employee turnover
High level of competition
High level of cooperation with
customers and suppliers, moderate
levels with research institutes,
governmental organizations and related
industries, and lowest level with
competitors
Moderate level of employee turnover

42. Cluster benchmarking (3)
IT cluster in Sariyer, Istanbul IT cluster in Central Finland
Cluster
attractiveness
Two-star cluster
Employment: 3,832 (4% of the region)
Regional agglomeration (LQ): 15.1
National agglomeration: 0.6
Attractive
Two-star cluster
Employment: 2,913 (4.6% of the
region)
Regional agglomeration (LQ): 7.5
National agglomeration: 1.4
Attractive
Knowledge
Dynamics
Moderate level of competition
Moderate level of cooperation (mostly
with customers)
Low level of employee turnover
Moderately Attractive
High level of competition
High level of cooperation with
customers and suppliers, moderate
levels with research institutes,
governmental organizations and related
industries, and lowest level with
competitors
Moderate level of employee turnover
More Attractive

43. Cluster benchmarking (Summary)
IT cluster in Sariyer, Istanbul IT cluster in Central Finland
Educational
attractiveness
Equally attractive Equally attractive
Talent
attractiveness
More Attractive Attractive
R&D&I
attractiveness
Not Attractive Very Attractive
Ownership
attractiveness
Not Attractive More Attractive
Environmental
attractiveness
Not Directly Relevant Not Directly Relevant
Cluster
attractiveness
Attractive Attractive
Knowledge
Dynamics
Moderately Attractive More Attractive

44. Cluster benchmarking (Summary)
IT cluster in Sariyer, Istanbul IT cluster in Central Finland
Educational
attractiveness
Equally attractive Equally attractive
Talent
attractiveness
More Attractive Attractive
R&D&I
attractiveness
Not Attractive Very Attractive
Ownership
attractiveness
Not Attractive More Attractive
Environmental
attractiveness
Not Directly Relevant Not Directly Relevant
Cluster
attractiveness
Attractive Attractive
Knowledge
Dynamics
Moderately Attractive More Attractive

45. Main Findings and Suggestions for Policy-makers
• Environmental attractiveness is not necessarily a relevant
dimension for assessing IT cluster’s knowledge potential.
• R&D&I attractiveness, ownership attractiveness, and
knowledge dynamics seem to be the most influential
dimensions to drive entrepreneurial activity and new business
development in a cluster.
• Constructing a cluster is not enough. There must be a
dynamic innovation ecosystem with policies, programs and
institutions in place to support entrepreneurial activities.

46. Suggestions for Future Research
• More attempts to reveal the connection between clustering
and entrepreneurship (e.g., case studies with in-depth
interviews)
• Similar studies in other industries and other IT clusters

47. THANK YOU!
Your ideas, comments and questions
Want to conduct joint research in this area,
please contact us at
mmermercioglu@ku.edu.tr
murat.akpinar@jamk.fi