The relation between global migration and trade networks

In this paper we develop a methodology to analyze and compare multiple global networks, focusing our analysis on the relation between human migration and trade. First, we identify the subset of products for which the presence of a community of migrants significantly increases trade intensity, where to assure comparability across networks we apply a hypergeometric filter that lets us identify those links which intensity is significantly higher than expected. Next, proposing a new way to define country neighbors based on the most intense links in the trade network, we use spatial econometrics techniques to measure the effect of migration on international trade, while controlling for network interdependences. Overall, we find that migration significantly boosts trade across countries and we are able to identify product categories for which this effect is particularly strong

The impact of regional financial development on economic growth in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region:a spatial econometric analysis

The Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei (BTH) integration project in China is ambitious which offers great potential with its promotion of sustainable and inclusive development. This study investigates the impact of regional financial development on economic growth in the BTH region, with panel data collected from 2007 to 2016. Two indicators namely, CREDIT (denoted as regional financial development depth) and BRANCH (denoted as regional financial intermediaries accessibility) are used to construct an integrated regional financial development indicator through the spatial econometrics approach. The spatio-temporal distribution characteristics of regional financial development and economic growth are analyzed. Afterward, the global Moran’s I and local Getis–Ord Gi* statistics are applied to detect the presence of spatial autocorrelation. Finally, a spatial Durbin model (SDM) is utilized to examine spatial distribution and spatial association. The research findings of this study suggest that the CREDIT has a positive effect on regional economic growth, while the BRANCH has no impact on regional economic growth. Moreover, it is found that the spatial autocorrelation of CREDIT and BRANCH are statistically significant. The CREDIT of the neighboring areas has a negative spatial spillover effect on economic growth of one area, while the BRANCH in the neighboring areas has a positive effect on the one area. The results and research findings reported in this article highlight the role of regional financial development in improving the economic growth not only for Chinese policy makers but also for other countries’ researchers and practitioners in this field

Migration and Trade: An Empirical Analysis

The fundamental idea behind the study is to inspect and analyze the trade ornamental effects of migration following the network of migrants stocks in origin and destination countries because these migrants are always serve useful to enhance and construct the flow of trade among countries. Both migration and trade are always being the topic of great concern between different countries and among different regions.  The results show the entire variable and their signs are according to the theory with significance at different levels while Distance is also effecting inversely and found significant as according to the theory of gravity model. Keywords: migration, trade, gravity mode

The World Trade Web: A Multiple-Network Perspective

International Trade (IT) plays a fundamental role in today's economy: by connecting world countries production and consumption processes, it radically contributes in shaping their economy and development path. Although its evolving structure and determinants have been widely analyzed in the literature, much less has been done to understand its interplay with other complex phenomena. The aim of this work is, precisely in this direction, to study the relations of IT with International Migration (IM) and Foreign Direct Investments (FDI). In both cases the procedure used is to first approach the problem in a multiple-networks perspective and than deepen the analysis by using ad hoc econometrics techniques. With respect to IM, a general positive correlation with IT is highlighted and product categories for which this effect is stronger are identified and cross-checked with previous classifications. Next, employing spatial econometric techniques and proposing a new way to define country neighbors based on the most intense IM flows, direct/indirect network effects are studied and a stronger competitive effect of third country migrants is identified for a specific product class. In the case of FDI, first correlations between the two networks are identified, highlighting how they can be mostly explained by countries economic/demographic size and geographical distance. Then, using the Heckman selection model with a gravity equation, (non-linear) components arising from distance, position in the Global Supply Chain and presence of Regional Trade Agreements are studied. Finally, it is shown how IT and FDI correlation changes with sectors: they are complements in manufacturing, but substitutes in services.Comment: PhD thesis at IMT Institute for Advanced Studies Lucca. 114 pages, 12 figures, 18 table

How do illicit drugs move across countries? A network analysis of the heroin supply to Europe

Illicit drugs are trafficked across manifold borders before ultimately reaching consumers. Consequently, interdiction of cross-border drug trafficking forms a critical component of the European Union’s initiative to reduce drug supplies. However, there is contradictory evidence about its effectiveness, which is due, in part, to a paucity of information about how drugs flow across borders. This study uses a network approach to analyse international drug trafficking both to and within Europe, drawing on several perspectives to delineate the factors that affect how drug shipments move across borders. The analysis explicates how drug trafficking is concentrated along specific routes; moreover, we demonstrate that its structure is not random, but, rather, driven by specific factors. In particular, corruption, social and geographical proximity are key factors explaining the configuration of heroin supply to European countries. This study also provides essential insights into the disruption of traffickers’ illicit activities

Country centrality in the international multiplex network

Abstract In this work we introduce and analyze a new and comprehensive multilayer dataset covering a wide spectrum of international relationships between coutries. We select two cross sections of the dataset corresponding to years 2003 and 2010 with 19 layers and 112 nodes to study the structure and evolution of the network. Country centrality is measured by the multiplex PageRank (MultiRank) and the multiplex hub and authority scores (MultiHub and MultiAuth). We find that the MultiHub measure has the highest correlation to GDP per capita, with respect to the other multilayer measures and to their single layer analogues. Finally we analyze the differences in the ranking between GDP per capita and the multilayer centrality measures to evaluate them as measures of development

The relation between migration and FDI in the OECD from a complex network perspective

We explore the relationship between human migration and OECD’s foreign direct investment (FDI) using a gravity equation enriched with variables that account for complex network effects. Based on a panel data analysis, we find a strong positive correlation between the migration network and the FDI network, which can be mostly explained by countries’ economic/demographic sizes and geographical distance. We highlight the existence of a stronger positive FDI relationship in pairs of countries that are more central in the migration network. Both intensive and extensive forms of centrality are FDI enhancing. Illuminating this result, we show that bilateral FDI between any two countries is further affected positively by the complex web of ‘third party’ corridors/migration stocks of the international migration network (IMN). Our findings are consistent whether we consider bilateral FDI and bilateral migration figures, or we focus on the outward FDI and the respective inward migration of the OECD countries

How does digital payment affect international trade? Research based on the social network analysis method

Digital payment is one of the latest trendsin modern payment systems; its development has a profound impact on international trade relations and the international trade status of countries. We constructed an international trade network by using global commodity trade data to measure countries' international trade status. Based on this, we used panel data from 25 countries for the period between 2012 and 2020 and employed a fixed-effect model to test the relationship between digital payment and international trade status. Empirical results show that, first, the development of digital payment can effectively enhance a country's international trade status. Second, digital payment strengthens international trade connections by lowering barriers to cross-border capital flows, thereby improving a country's international trade status. Third, the effect of digital payment on enhancing international trade status varies across countries with different degrees of trade openness. The findings of this study provide theoretical support for the development of digital payment and international trade

Online and offline determinants of drug trafficking across countries via cryptomarkets

Drug cryptomarkets are a significant development in the recent history of illicit drug markets. Dealers and buyers can now finalize transactions with people they have never met, who could be located anywhere across the globe. What factors shape the geography of international drug trafficking via these cryptomarkets? In our current study, we test the determinants of drug trafficking through cryptomarkets by using a mix of social network analysis and a new dataset composed of self-reported transactions. Our findings contribute to existing research by demonstrating that a country’s level of technological advancement increases the probability of forming trafficking connections on cryptomarkets. Additionally, we found that a country’s capacity to police cryptomarkets reduces the number of trafficking connections with other countries. We also observed that trafficking on cryptomarkets is more likely to occur between countries that are geographically close. In summary, our study highlights the need to consider both online and offline factors in research on cryptomarkets