IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/ris/eaerev/0447.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Reassessing Services Trade Barriers: Evidence from Turkish Microdata and the STRI Framework

Author

Listed:
  • Ömer Tarık GENÇOSMANOĞLU

    (Ankara University; Ministry of Trade)

Abstract

This study examines two key challenges in services trade research: the reliability of trade data and the measurement of non-tariff barriers, particularly the Services Trade Restrictiveness Index (STRI). Using firm-level panel data from Türkiye with fixed effects, we show that international data limitations significantly affect empirical results and that the explanatory power of the gravity model declines with more detailed microdata. We also find that the STRI’s link to trade flows is weaker and more sector-specific than assumed, questioning its methodological adequacy. Additionally, ad valorem equivalent (AVE) rates are estimated, revealing moderate barriers for Türkiye’s exports but much higher protection in imports, notably in technical services and transport. The findings highlight the need for sector-specific liberalization and call for next-generation STRI indices that are dynamic, firm-responsive, and modular by regulatory dimension. We advocate for cautious interpretation of STRI-based estimates and encourage the use of microdata across countries to improve services trade analysis and policy design.

Suggested Citation

  • Ömer Tarık GENÇOSMANOĞLU, 2025. "Reassessing Services Trade Barriers: Evidence from Turkish Microdata and the STRI Framework," East Asian Economic Review, Korea Institute for International Economic Policy, vol. 29(2), pages 139-199.
    • Handle: RePEc:ris:eaerev:0447
    DOI: 10.11644/KIEP.EAER.2025.29.2.447
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://dx.doi.org/10.11644/KIEP.EAER.2025.29.2.447
    File Function: Full text
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.11644/KIEP.EAER.2025.29.2.447?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    More about this item

    Keywords

    Trade in Services; Gravity Model; the Services Trade Restrictiveness Index (STRI); Non-Tariff Barrie;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C23 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • F13 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Trade Policy; International Trade Organizations
    • F14 - International Economics - - Trade - - - Empirical Studies of Trade

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:ris:eaerev:0447. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    We have no bibliographic references for this item. You can help adding them by using this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: JE Lee (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://edirc.repec.org/data/kieppkr.html .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.