THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN REGIONAL ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND LOCAL CULTURE: A TALE OF TWO NEIGHBOURING TURKISH PROVINCES

The aim of this paper is to compare and contrast two neighbouring provinces, Aydın and Denizli which are located in the western part of Turkey in terms of regional development criteria by utilizing a theoratical framework developed by authors. More specifically, the relationship between provincial economic development and socio-cultural factors and Networks are searched. After conducting a 36 item survey among 118 businessmen in these provincies, it can be stated that, not only economic factors but also cultural values, networks and organizations (as it is in institutional theory) seem to explain success or failure of regions.