Factors affecting the formation of copper international trade community: Based on resource dependence and network theory

Abstract Communities are important as they may help to reveal an unknown functional module in international trade. By combining the resource dependence and network theory, we analyze the international trade community formation of copper concentrates and scrap copper from 2007 to 2015. The network position and resource dependence of a country both have positive effects on community formation, and they complement each other. Countries can choose proper trade partners according to its main influencing factor. JPN, NLD and SGP, can improve their copper trade power through connecting with resource-based countries. Similarly, FRA, CAN, and ESP can choose to form the same community with countries of central network position to improve international copper trade. Based on these considerations, countries can reduce or manage the dependence on other countries.