Detecting the local characteristics from the iron ore import competition intensity among nations: A network-based resource allocation process method

Abstract

Iron ore is an important industrial raw material, and its production and consumption have a significant impact on the world economy. As resource demand increases, competition among iron ore importing countries has intensified. To investigate the global iron ore competition landscape through the competition intensity among importing countries and to study the iron ore competition groups and key competition modes from a local perspective, this paper constructs the iron ore import competition intensity network (IOCIN) by employing the network decreasing-mode and resource allocation process (RAP). The empirical results are as follows. First, competition intensity is unevenly distributed. The unevenness of competition intensity eases slightly, and the IOCINs become tighter over time. Second, the composition of the community is unstable, and the competition groups show geographic dispersion. Third, unidirectional competition with an overwhelming advantage on one side is a common relationship in the global iron ore market. At the same time, a relatively stable bilateral competition pattern has promoted the evolution of the global iron ore competitive landscape. The value of this study includes not only the improvement of the method but also practical strategic recommendations for rational competition and resource allocation optimization among countries.