The effects of technological developments on economic growth: an analysis on BRICS-T countries

This thesis examines the relationship between technological development and economic growth in the BRICS-T countries, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China, South Africa, and Turkey. Indicators such as medium and high-technology exports, R&D activities, patent applications, and scientific publications were employed to represent technological progress, while economic growth was measured through GDP data. The findings reveal significant differences among the countries. China emerges as the most successful case, dominance in high-technology exports. India supports its growth with advancements in software and information technologies, whereas Brazil has struggled to integrate its resource-based economy with technology. Russia's dependence on energy-driven growth has limited the contribution of innovation, while South Africa faces challenges in sustaining growth due to its relatively weak technological capacity. Turkey, despite efforts to expand medium- and high-technology exports, has exhibited an inconsistent performance in structural transformation. Overall, the results suggest that technological development is a crucial determinant of economic growth, yet its impact varies depending on institutional structures, sectoral priorities, and investment strategies. The study concludes that BRICS-T countries must support innovative industries, and shift toward technology-based production structures in order to achieve sustainable growth.