Abstract
This paper considers how to specify the model for interregional commodity flows. We first review so many varied types of model in this field, and then point out the most important topics for future research.
From a methodological point of view, the models for interregional commodity flows can be classified into the following three categories:
i) Classical approach,
ii) Information-theoretic approach,
iii) Behavior-theoretic approach.
We scrutinize each of them in turn, putting an emphasis on the mutual relationships among different models.
Next, on the basis of our classification, we raise the following three topics for future reseach:
i) How to specify the regional breakdown and appropriate economic distances?
ii) How to resolve the aggregation problem so as to determine an optimal level?
iii) How to carry out the hypothesis-testing by using a bunch of high quality data?
Then, a brief outline of the representative models for interregional commodity flows is restated at the end.
