Diversification versus specialization in complex ecosystems

PLoS One. 2014 Nov 10;9(11):e112525. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0112525. eCollection 2014.

Abstract

By analyzing the distribution of revenues across the production sectors of quoted firms we suggest a novel dimension that drives the firms diversification process at country level. Data show a non trivial macro regional clustering of the diversification process, which underlines the relevance of geopolitical environments in determining the microscopic dynamics of economic entities. These findings demonstrate the possibility of singling out in complex ecosystems those micro-features that emerge at macro-levels, which could be of particular relevance for decision-makers in selecting the appropriate parameters to be acted upon in order to achieve desirable results. The understanding of this micro-macro information exchange is further deepened through the introduction of a simplified dynamic model.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Commerce*
  • Decision Making
  • Economic Competition*
  • Ecosystem
  • Internationality
  • Models, Economic*
  • Politics
  • Population Dynamics

Grants and funding

M. C., A. T. and G. L. C. are funded by Italian PNR project “CRISIS-Lab”; R. D. C. is funded by EU Project nr. 611272 “GROWTHCOM”. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.