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International Human Trafficking: Measuring Clandestinity by the Structural Equation Approach

Author

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  • Alexandra Rudolph

    (German Development Institute/Deutsches Institut für Entwicklungspolitik (DIE), Germany)

  • Friedrich Schneider

    (Department of Economics, Johannes Kepler University of Linz, Austria)

Abstract

Worldwide human trafficking is the third most often registered international criminal activity, ranked only after drug and weapon trafficking. This article focusses on three questions: 1) How can human trafficking be measured? 2) What are the causes and indicators of this criminal activity which exploits individuals? 3) Which countries observe a high (or low) level of human trafficking inflow? We apply the Multiple Indicators Multiple Causes structural equation model to measure human trafficking inflows in a way which includes all potential causes and indicators in one estimation model. The human trafficking measurement focusses on international human trafficking. We use freely available existing data and thus generate an objective measure of the extent of trafficking. Countries are ranked according to their potential to be a destination country based on various characteristics of the trafficking process.

Suggested Citation

  • Alexandra Rudolph & Friedrich Schneider, 2017. "International Human Trafficking: Measuring Clandestinity by the Structural Equation Approach," Social Inclusion, Cogitatio Press, vol. 5(2), pages 39-58.
    • Handle: RePEc:cog:socinc:v:5:y:2017:i:2:p:39-58
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Oasis Kodila-Tedika & Martin Mulunda Kabange, 2016. "Slave trade and Human Trafficking," Research Africa Network Working Papers 16/002, Research Africa Network (RAN).
    2. Siddharth Kara, 2017. "Perspectives on Human Trafficking and Modern Forms of Slavery," Social Inclusion, Cogitatio Press, vol. 5(2), pages 1-2.
    3. William R. DI PIETRO, 2015. "Human Trafficking and National Morality," Expert Journal of Economics, Sprint Investify, vol. 3(3), pages 161-166.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    human trafficking; international crime; latent variable; measurement; Multiple Indicators and Multiple Causes model; structural equation model;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • C39 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Other
    • F22 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - International Migration
    • K42 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Illegal Behavior and the Enforcement of Law
    • K49 - Law and Economics - - Legal Procedure, the Legal System, and Illegal Behavior - - - Other

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