International Trade and Biological Invasions: A Queuing Theoretic Analysis of the Prevention Problem

27 Pages Posted: 28 Jul 2004

See all articles by Amitrajeet A. Batabyal

Amitrajeet A. Batabyal

Rochester Institute of Technology

Hamid Beladi

University of Texas at San Antonio - College of Business - Department of Economics

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Date Written: July 2004

Abstract

We propose and develop a new framework for studying the problem of preventing biological invasions caused by ships transporting internationally traded goods between countries and continents. Specifically, we apply the methods of queuing theory to analyze the problem of preventing a biological invasion from a long run perspective. First, we characterize two simple regulatory regimes as two different kinds of queues. Second, we show how to pose a publically owned port manager's decision problem as an optimization problem using queuing theoretic techniques. Third, we compare and contrast the optimality conditions emanating from our analysis of the M/M/I/U and the M/M/I/I inspection regimes. We conclude by discussing possible extensions to our basic models.

Keywords: Natural Resources, Biological Invasion, Queuing Theory, Maritime Trade

JEL Classification: F19, Q28

Suggested Citation

Batabyal, Amitrajeet A. and Beladi, Hamid, International Trade and Biological Invasions: A Queuing Theoretic Analysis of the Prevention Problem (July 2004). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=569842 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.569842

Amitrajeet A. Batabyal (Contact Author)

Rochester Institute of Technology ( email )

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Hamid Beladi

University of Texas at San Antonio - College of Business - Department of Economics ( email )

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