Clustering and local economic development: Determination of clusteringlevel in Batman textile sector

In recent years, sectoral clustering has been emphasized as an important factor in the growth and development of countries/regions. Particularly, clustering does not only provide support for firms in terms of international competition but also it makes them to be in corporation against challenges and obstacles. In addition, it has become an important issue in terms of revealing the potential and abilities of the regions by supporting the firms. From this starting point, in this study, it has been aimed to investigate the clustering level in textile sector which has been rapidly improving in Batman and the effects of this clustering on both firms and local economic development. Within this framework, 117 firms, conducting production activities in Batman Province in textile sector, have been selected as sampling area and the information about these firms have been obtained with the help of questionnaire method. With the data obtained from the questionnaire, some statistical analyses have been realized. As a result of the analyses, it has been seen that the clustering level in textile sector in Batman has been found out to be very little. Moreover, in case the clustering is effective in textile sector, it has been revealed that it will have positive contributions to local economic development.