The Network Structure of Opioid Distribution on a Darknet Cryptomarket
The Network Structure of Opioid Distribution on a Darknet Cryptomarket
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DOI：
10.1007/s10940-017-9359-4
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发表时间：
2018-12-01
影响因子：
3.6
通讯作者：
Haynie, Dana L.
中科院分区：
文献类型：
--
作者：
Duxbury, Scott W.;Haynie, Dana L.
目的本研究是第一次检查加密的在线药物分销网络的网络结构。它检查（1）全球网络结构，（2）本地网络结构，以及（3）确定最能解释网络结构变化的供应商特征。在这样做的过程中，它评估了信任的作用，在网上drug markets.MethodsThe研究借鉴了一个独特的数据集的交易水平的数据从加密的网上药品市场。结构措施和社区检测分析用于表征和调查的网络结构。指数随机图建模是用来评估供应商的特点，解释在采购patterns.ResultsVendors的可信度解释更多的变化，在整体网络结构比供应商的产品或供应商产品列表的多样性的负担能力。这将导致在一个高度本地化的网络结构与几个关键供应商占大多数transactions.ConclusionsThe结果表明，供应商的可信度是一个更好的预测供应商的选择比产品的多样性或负担能力。这些结果阐明了维持数字毒品市场的内部市场动态，并强调了研究新的匿名技术如何塑造全球毒品分销网络的重要性。
ObjectivesThe current study is the first to examine the network structure of an encrypted online drug distribution network. It examines (1) the global network structure, (2) the local network structure, and (3) identifies those vendor characteristics that best explain variation in the network structure. In doing so, it evaluates the role of trust in online drug markets.MethodsThe study draws on a unique dataset of transaction level data from an encrypted online drug market. Structural measures and community detection analysis are used to characterize and investigate the network structure. Exponential random graph modeling is used to evaluate which vendor characteristics explain variation in purchasing patterns.ResultsVendors' trustworthiness explains more variation in the overall network structure than the affordability of vendor products or the diversity of vendor product listings. This results in a highly localized network structure with a few key vendors accounting for most transactions.ConclusionsThe results indicate that vendors' trustworthiness is a better predictor of vendor selection than product diversity or affordability. These results illuminate the internal market dynamics that sustain digital drug markets and highlight the importance of examining how new anonymizing technologies shape global drug distribution networks.