Faux Fur Trade Networks Using Macroscopic Data: A Social Network Approach

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

The authors of Faux fur trade networks using macroscopic data: A social network approach, presents a relevant theme in two ways, on the one hand the analyzed trade product is given by artificial furs, which leads us to appreciate the subtle nature of animal protection, and on the other hand, the approach to trade through social networks, which is particularly relevant in the context of the explosive growth of the use of these networks as tools for digital commerce. Bibliographic sources, citations and literature are adequately mentioned in the paper. An example in this sense is given by the work of Bae and Kwon [16] analyzed the faux fur fashion in SPA brands. The research methodology is appropriate, based on specialized studies, network analysis and centrality measurement. The authors' results are clearly presented by the authors of the research, highlighting the total amount of exports and imports of artificial fur increases globally day by day, the total amount of exports and imports to other Asian countries and Vietnam decreases, global imports of fur and animal skins decreased, China was the exporter of artificial fur to the largest number of countries and played, Italy and France were the largest importers of artificial fur from different countries and exerted a significant influence as intermediaries in the network of imports of artificial fur. However, we appreciate the completion by the authors of the research with the mention in a paragraph of the personal scientific results as a direct contribution to the scientific literature. The conclusions are adequately presented by the authors of the research, highlighting "ethical industrial movements, in the form of increasing trade in artificial fur and the decline of trade in fur and animal skins", but as we presented in the results we suggest supplementation with personal scientific results. We congratulate the research team, and after completing according to the suggestions mentioned above, we propose for acceptance the paper.

Author Response

And thank you for reviewing our paper. 

We checked your suggestions and revised it accordingly.

The revised parts were marked in red letters on paper.

Please refer to the attached file.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

I have really enjoyed reading this manuscript. It provides new insights on the direction of trade, more specifically it deals with the structure of trade networks for the case of faux fur. The results provided for three specific years seem algo interesting and novel for research. However, I still find some questions unsolved in the current version of this manuscript:

• While the authors mention the importance of consumers´ awareness to modify their consumption habits from vegan to faux fur, in my opinion the discussion needs to go beyond. More specifically, these attitudes may be related to Objectives of Sustainable Development (ODS).
• Why is the creation of networks important for trade? It may be discussed according to trade theory.
• Where are the policy implications in conclusions? The discussion on the results obtained is unnecesarily long in the conclusions. The authors may write a paragraph highlighting the main policy implications.

Author Response

And thank you for reviewing our paper.

We checked your suggestions and revised it accordingly.

The revised parts were marked in red letters on paper.

Please refer to the attached file.

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf