The Effect of Creative Class on Economic Development of Cities: The Case of Turkey

Article Information
Journal: Business and Economics Research Journal
Title of Article: The Effect of Creative Class on Economic Development of Cities: The Case of Turkey
Author(s): Habibe Günsel Doğrul, Mediha Mine Çelikkol, Naci Murat
Volume: 7
Number: 4
Year: 2016
Page: 79-95
ISSN: 1309-2448
DOI Number: 10.20409/berj.2016422340
Abstract
Economic power of cities depends on their human capital as much as their pyhsical capital. Florida’s hypothesis about Creative Class is tested in this study in the context of Turkey. For this purpose, we examine the relationsip between alternative mesures of human capital and regional development applying structural equation models and path analysis. Our results confirm Florida’s hypothesis that high level of creativity fosters regional economic development. Evidence also suggest that total creative class seems to be better measurement than education in accounting for regional development across Turkish cities. In addition, our results suggest that while there is statistically significant association between the distribution of creative class and the presence of artistically culturally creative individuals (bohemians), there is no significant association with consumer amenities and university. As a result, Florida’s hypothesis does not completely explain the distribution of creatives in the Turkish context.

Keywords: Human Capital, Creative Class, Regional Economic Development, Technology, Path Analysis and Structural Equations Model

JEL Classification: J24, R10, R20, O30

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