Competitive sustainability in the Turkish recycled paper industry: A mixed-methods analysis using trade advantage indices and firm-level insights

This thesis analyzes the foreign trade performance of Türkiye's recycled paper industry for the period 2013–2023 by applying Balassa's Revealed Comparative Advantage (RCA) and Vollrath's Relative Trade Advantage (RTA) indices to empirically reveal the country's sectoral competitiveness. Simultaneously, it qualitatively evaluates sustainability strategies, implementation challenges, and sectoral dynamics through semi-structured interviews conducted with senior executives operating in the industry. The results indicate that Türkiye has demonstrated a competitive position in recycled paper products in certain years; however, this position has not been consistent. Factors such as exchange rate volatility, energy costs, and dependence on imported raw materials have increased sectoral vulnerabilities and constrained competitiveness. Elements such as reducing the carbon footprint, improving energy efficiency, and transitioning to environmentally friendly production technologies have been decisive in the sector's transformation process. Semi-structured interviews reveal that awareness of green transformation and sustainability has increased among industry stakeholders, yet limitations persist due to insufficient technological transformation and investment capacity. Supported by qualitative analyses, the findings show that sustainability strategies vary significantly across firms. Large-scale enterprises have adapted more rapidly to the transformation, whereas small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) tend to lag behind due to financial and technical constraints. Moreover, issues such as the quality of recovered fibers, inadequate waste collection infrastructure, and informal practices negatively affect international competitiveness. The study demonstrates that Türkiye's recycled paper industry requires structural reforms to achieve competitive sustainability within the framework of the green economy. Carbon neutrality targets, green financing mechanisms, state incentives, and the strengthening of waste management infrastructure stand out as priority policy areas for sectoral transformation. In addition, annual trade data analyses highlight the need for Türkiye to develop sustainable export strategies aligned with global environmental and trade policies. In conclusion, this thesis reveals the sustainability dynamics of the recycled paper industry in its environmental, economic, and trade dimensions and provides strategic insights for strengthening the sector's competitive future.