INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY SECTOR STRATEGY MAP OF IZMIR

Abstract

This study aims to understand current dynamics of the Izmir's ICT sector by looking at its dynamics and mapping the spatial distribution of the firms. It is based on series of analysis produced for Izmir Development Agency in 2012 within the frame of preparation of 2014-2023 Izmir Regional Development Plan. It conducts a Delphi survey to support situation knowledge as well as trend prediction for the next 10 years' period. Furthermore, gap analysis is performed to measure the margin between the current situation of the ICT sector and future trends predicted by experts. The study also maps Izmir's ICT sector's location preferences based on Izmir Chamber of Commerce's publicly available web-based database. It illustrated that ICT sector's trend largely based on centripetal and spontaneously developed clusters placed in the central part of the city. On the other hand, planned technology regions and science parks are relatively immature and need to be developed. Within the light of this dichotomy this study proposes a strategy map to Izmir's ICT sector.