Modular Structures of Trade Flow Networks in International Commodities

Zannatul Mawa Koli, Ashadun Nobi, Mahmudul Islam Rakib, Jahidul Alam and Jae Woo Lee ()
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Zannatul Mawa Koli: Department of Computer Science and Telecommunication Engineering, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali 3814, Bangladesh
Ashadun Nobi: Department of Computer Science and Telecommunication Engineering, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali 3814, Bangladesh
Mahmudul Islam Rakib: Department of Computer Science and Telecommunication Engineering, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali 3814, Bangladesh
Jahidul Alam: Department of Computer Science and Telecommunication Engineering, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali 3814, Bangladesh
Jae Woo Lee: Department of Physics, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea

Sustainability, 2023, vol. 15, issue 22, 1-17

Abstract: We explore the evolution of modular structure within the International Trade Network (ITN) for eight commodities, employing the Louvain module optimization method. The interactions among countries in the realm of trade are shaped by various factors, including economic conditions and geographical proximity. These countries are often categorized into continental groups, a classification that frequently persists even after the detecting process of modules. Nonetheless, African countries display a penchant for shifting among different modules over time. Observations of module trends unveil the increase in regional trade up until 2005, followed by plateaus marked with interruptions during significant crises, such as the 2012–2014 EU recession and the 2018 trade war. Notably, the 2018 trade war witnessed a sharp upsurge in module, attributed to robust alliances between major players like China and the USA. These modular dynamics are not uniform across different commodities; they exhibit varying degrees of module and distinct responses during times of crisis, with human-made goods displaying heightened sensitivity. Core nations, such as the USA, Germany, China, and Japan, exert significant influence over the commodities and often demonstrate a cohesive approach when navigating through crises. The analysis of modular dynamics provides valuable insights into global trade trends, fostering sustainability in trade practices, and comprehending the impacts of crises on various commodities.

Keywords: trade network; commodity; module; complex network (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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