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Gravity Models of Networks

Di Vece, Marzio (2024) Gravity Models of Networks. Advisor: Bemporad, Prof. Alberto. Coadvisor: Squartini, Prof. Tiziano . pp. 203. [IMT PhD Thesis]

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Abstract

Trade networks are mathematical representations of the ex- changes established by countries, industries, firms or individ- uals. The present thesis collects works aimed at overcoming the limitations characterizing the econometric recipes tradi- tionally employed to study the aforementioned systems, by introducing a novel framework, based upon the maximum- entropy formalism. In chapter 2 we develop a novel class of models to study networks with discrete weights, capable of accommodating both structural and econometric parameters, finding that they outperform standard, econometric models [1]. In chapter 3 we extend the aforementioned set of models to study networks with continuous weights [2]. In chapter 4 we go beyond the ‘deterministic’ optimization procedure pre- scribed by econometrics to specify conditional models, con- sidering two, alternative estimation recipes characterized by different ways of averaging over the topological randomness: what we find is that the ‘annealed’ recipe, prescribing to max- imize a generalized likelihood function, is to be preferred, re- gardless of the heterogeneity of weights [3]. Finally, in Chap- ter 5, we delve into the extent to which the triadic structures embedded within the Dutch multi-commodity production net- work align with maximum-entropy conditional models [4]. Our findings reveal that for the vast majority of commodities, these models effectively replicate the observed triadic struc- tures, exhibiting minimal deviations.

Item Type: IMT PhD Thesis
Subjects: H Social Sciences > HB Economic Theory
PhD Course: Economics, Networks and Business Analytics
Identification Number: https://doi.org/10.13118/imtlucca/e-theses/405
NBN Number: [error in script]
Date Deposited: 20 Feb 2024 09:05
URI: http://e-theses.imtlucca.it/id/eprint/405

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