An empirical investigation of network relationships in the market

Abstract

A tense epidemiological situation and accelerated digitalization have shifted the focus of particular markets and the entire economy towards developing network relationships. In contrast to traditional industry markets, networks have a number of specific features, and measuring them is a crucial research objective. The paper develops an integrated algorithm that allows assessing the network characteristics of the market. The methodological framework includes a set of strategic management theories, which are dominated by the network (relational) approach. The methodological tools embrace a system of indicators generalized in the form of graph theory. The object of the study is the network of tourism services of the Russian Federation, which covers more than 10 types of economic activity. The authors propose calculating indicators of the macro-level (for the entire network) and the micro-level (for specific network nodes). Estimates of the structure, relationships, clustering and other parameters of the tourism services market in Russia testifies to its network nature, value co-creation by all network nodes, significant clustering and the presence of stable flows. Further studies will be concentrating on economic characteristics of the network relationships in the market.