Unfolding the complexity of the global value chain: Strength and entropy in the single-layer, multiplex, and multi-layer international trade networks

Alves, L.G.A. ; Mangioni, G. ; Rodrigues, F.A. ; Panzarasa, P. ; Moreno, Y. (Universidad de Zaragoza)

Resumen: The worldwide trade network has been widely studied through different data sets and network representations with a view to better understanding interactions among countries and products. Here we investigate international trade through the lenses of the single-layer, multiplex, and multi-layer networks. We discuss differences among the three network frameworks in terms of their relative advantages in capturing salient topological features of trade. We draw on the World Input-Output Database to build the three networks. We then uncover sources of heterogeneity in the way strength is allocated among countries and transactions by computing the strength distribution and entropy in each network. Additionally, we trace how entropy evolved, and show how the observed peaks can be associated with the onset of the global economic downturn. Findings suggest how more complex representations of trade, such as the multi-layer network, enable us to disambiguate the distinct roles of intra- and cross-industry transactions in driving the evolution of entropy at a more aggregate level. We discuss our results and the implications of our comparative analysis of networks for research on international trade and other empirical domains across the natural and social sciences.

Idioma: Inglés

DOI: 10.3390/e20120909

Año: 2018

Publicado en: ENTROPY 20, 12 (2018), 909 [14 pp]
ISSN: 1099-4300

Factor impacto JCR: 2.419 (2018)

Categ. JCR: PHYSICS, MULTIDISCIPLINARY rank: 28 / 81 = 0.346 (2018) - Q2 - T2

Factor impacto SCIMAGO: 0.524 - Physics and Astronomy (miscellaneous) (Q2)

Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/DGA/E36-17R
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/EC/H2020/640772/EU/Distributed Global Financial Systems for Society/DOLFINS
Financiación: info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/ES/MINECO/FIS2017-87519-P

Tipo y forma: Artículo (Versión definitiva)

Área (Departamento): Área Física Teórica (Dpto. Física Teórica)