Melisa Bozdemir

Research Project: The Impact of Exchange Rate Volatility on Turkish Exports (2018–2019) As part of my coursework in Macroeconomics and International Trade, I conducted a year-long research project analyzing the correlation between the volatility of the Turkish lira and the export volume of small and medium-sized Turkish enterprises (SMEs) in the manufacturing sector. • Data Sources Used: Central Bank of Turkey (CBRT), TurkStat, IMF macroeconomic indicators • Methods: Regression analysis using EViews and SPSS • Findings: Revealed a statistically significant inverse relationship between currency volatility and monthly export levels among SMEs. • Outcome: The study was selected for a student research conference at Ege University in 2019 and praised by the department for its practical implications. Business Simulation: Market Entry Strategy for a Turkish FMCG Brand in Eastern Europe (2020) In my final year, I participated in a strategic business simulation as part of the Strategic Management course. The simulation involved developing a market entry plan for a hypothetical Turkish Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) company entering Slovakia, Poland, and Czechia. • Role: Strategy & Marketing Lead • Contributions: • Conducted PESTEL analysis of the Central European region • Developed a comprehensive SWOT matrix • Designed the marketing strategy using a culturally adaptive approach • Result: Our team ranked 1st in the simulation scoring model, which evaluated market penetration success, profit margins, and branding adaptability. • Tools Used: Microsoft Excel, Tableau, Harvard Business Simulation platform Independent Study: Behavioral Economics and Turkish Consumer Behavior (2020) As part of an independent study course, I explored the principles of behavioral economics and how they apply to Turkish consumer decision-making in retail environments. • Focus Areas: Loss aversion, anchoring bias, scarcity principle • Primary Research: Conducted surveys of 300 Turkish consumers in Izmir shopping centers • Analysis: Quantitative and qualitative data using Excel and NVivo • Result: Submitted a paper titled “Psychological Pricing: The Invisible Hand in Turkish Markets” which received distinction and led to an invitation to publish in the university’s economics review journal (student edition).