Using social network analysis to combat counterfeiting

Abstract

Counterfeiting undoubtedly produces great harm to companies and the society. This paper presents a study on the application of Social Network Analysis (SNA) to combating this problem. The supply chain can be viewed as a network of parties involved in delivering value to consumers. Normally, SNA is used to analyze relationships between people. In this study, it is utilized to analyze supply chains for identification of parties that are likely to be involved in counterfeiting activities. After identifying the suspects in a supply chain, the company can deter and detect counterfeiting by tightening surveillance on these parties. The feasibility of using SNA as an anti-counterfeiting tool is investigated in a case study, the findings of which indicate that SNA can effectively help companies to prevent sources of counterfeit products from infiltrating into the supply chain. Problematic parties can be identified by characterizing the following features: high degree of centrality, high closeness of centrality and high betweenness of centrality.Keywords: Anti-counterfeiting, RFID, Social Network Analysis, Supply Chain Management This is the Pre-Published Version.

Social network analysis in operations and supply chain management: a review and revised research agenda

“…(Swiercze, 2018) (Ting et al, 2014) (Sloan and O'Reilly, 2013) (Yu et al, 2008) (Carter et al, 2007) ( Wichmann et al, 2015) Closeness centrality…”

“…Such nodes become less reliant on the others (Kim et al, 2011). (Ting et al, 2014) ( Kim et al, 2011) (Carter et al, 2007 Eigenvector centrality…”

“…For example structural hole and brokerage theory (Burt, 1992) has been applied to entire network structures in order to identify those firms who have better access to information and exchanges (Sloan and O'Reilly, 2013), and faster response to supply disruptions (Kim et al, 2011). SNA can help address the issues caused for regulators by the very dynamism and fluidity that can make these dark networks resilient (Bakker et al, 2012); luckily such work is being undertaken around the world, but it is of necessity covert and does not appear in OM journals -but see Ting and Tsang (2014) for one example in our SLR that addresses counterfeiting. In using SNA methods and social network perspectives to reduce the impact of organised crime, drug tracking and terrorism we offer some powerful responses to the legitimate question often asked of SNA, why do we need to know who talks to whom?…”

Why do consumers buy counterfeit luxury products? A tale of two major cities in two different countries

“…Some studies have reported that the purchasing and selling transactions for counterfeit luxury products have moved to social media and online messaging systems (Bitar, 2013;Crompton, 2015). Simply put, the Internet has taken globalization to a new level, making it an ideal avenue for selling counterfeit luxury products and causing severe problems to manufacturers and marketers of genuine luxury products worldwide (Ting and Tsang, 2014;Davidson et al, 2019). In fact, the International AntiCounterfeiting Coalition has reported that the global markets for counterfeit luxury products have surpassed $600bn a year, which accounted for about 5-7% of the annual value of world trade (Zampetakis, 2014).…”

Aspectos comportamentais na gestão de projetos: uma análise bibliométrica (1988-2014)

“…An author with a high centrality degree demonstrates a significant number of direct or indirect partnerships in the network analyzed. For Leem & Chun (2014), the centrality degree of an article suggests that the more connections a node has, the more central this article is or, in other words, centrality is defined as the number of interactions a node has with others (Ting & Tsang, 2013). Betweenness degree is the degree of an article as enabler of the intermediation between other articles (Lopes & Carvalho, 2012).…”