Abstract
<p>Previous studies have analyzed the suitcase trade from global, state-centric and local perspectives. While the first two categories of studies analyzed the economic impacts of the suitcase trade from global and state-centric perspectives, other studies analyzed the cultural implications of the suitcase trade. This is the first systematic study to analyze the economic impact of the emergence, increase and decrease of the suitcase trade on suitcase traders. Specifically, this study analyzes the dynamics of the suitcase trade between Turkey, the Russian Federation, the former Soviet Republics on foreign trade. Individuals from different sectors (wholesalers, retailers and manufacturers) constitute the target group of this study. Surveys and focus group interviews serve as our data. The data covers the period from 1990 to 2013. Surveys were completed by 257 people from firms which participated in the suitcase trade in the Laleli market-Turkish market place for the suitcase trade. Focus group interviews were conducted with 16 people in a conversational style. This exploratory study contributes to the body of empirical evidence by analyzing the changing dynamics of the suitcase trade. The study concludes with policy proposals to tackle local, regional and global challenges of the suitcase trade.</p>
Highlights
While much of the literature analyzed the dynamics of transition economies after the collapse of the Soviet Union, relatively less attention is given to the suitcase trade which emerged during the transition period from a planned economy to a market economy
While findings of surveys provide a general insight into the suitcase trade in Turkey, findings of focus group interviews provide a more detailed picture
This study provided a clear and detailed picture of the general characteristics of the suitcase trade, the external factors which have impacted the suitcase trade, everyday experiences and culture-sharing behavior of suitcase traders and the changing dynamics of the suitcase trade
Summary
While much of the literature analyzed the dynamics of transition economies after the collapse of the Soviet Union, relatively less attention is given to the suitcase trade which emerged during the transition period from a planned economy to a market economy. There has been an increased scholarly attention on the suitcase trade. These studies analyzed the suitcase trade from global, state-centric and local perspectives. The suitcase trade differs from other forms of trade with regard to the size of goods. It is independent of normal foreign trade. This trade is conducted without importers or exporters (International Monetary Fund, 1998). This study sheds light on the suitcase trade from a local perspective by analyzing views of participants who conducted trade in the Laleli market-Turkish market place for suitcase trade
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