Scientific Mapping of Gravity Model of International Trade Literature: A Bibliometric Analysis

Abstract:

The Gravity Model is the galloper of applied international trade literature. This model allows us to estimate trade-impacts of various trade related policies. Thousands of research studies have applied gravity models in their research works. The purpose of this paper is to look at bibliometric analysis of worldwide publication output based on a gravity model of international trade, as covered by Scopus from 1987 to 2021. The study analyses annual productivity, most productive source titles, prolific countries, eminent institutions, linguistic analysis and productivity of authors and their contribution in the subject area. According to the findings, Estimation of trade variables and projections are the most popular areas of subject specification, while in terms of literature gaps, estimation of economic integration, Extensive and Intensive Margin, and Logistics Performance Index receive less attention. 2019 was the most productive year for research on gravity models in international trade. In terms of contemporary research output, the United States, Germany, Spain, and China are the most productive countries; while as per citation analysis the United States, Germany, and the United Kingdom are the top three countries. The most prolific journals for publishing works in the subject of the gravity model of international trade are Journal of International Economics, American Economic Review, and Review of Economics and Statistics. The study attempts to portray the existing literature more comprehensively by showing research collaborations and bibliographic coupling. The findings of this study can be useful to conduct further studies in the future.

Keywords: Bilateral trade, Economic integration, Gravity Equation, Gravity Model, International trade, Scopus.