Enhancing the Competitiveness of the Belt and Road Initiative

• H1: Commodity-specific competitiveness sensitivity The application of the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) for constructing a composite com-petitiveness index of BRI corridors allows for methodological flexibility in determining indicator weights, which should vary depending on the type of traded commodity under analysis. The competitiveness of the BRI can be more accurately assessed by allowing the weight co-efficients of evaluation criteria within the AHP model to vary depending on the type of product or commodity analyzed (e.g., high-tech goods, bulk commodities, perishables). • H2: Validity of internationally standardized data sources The use of internationally recognized data sources—such as the World Bank logistics per-formance indicators, DHL Global Connectedness Index, and UNCTAD maritime connectivity statis-tics—provides a reliable and consistent basis for quantifying competitiveness indicators within the AHP-based model framework.

These hypotheses guide both the model architecture and the data sourcing protocols em-ployed in this study. The use of standardized, externally verified quantitative indicators—such as those provided by the World Bank Logistics Performance Index, DHL Global Connectedness Index, UNCTAD, and OECD—is a valid and reliable approach for assigning values to the evaluation parameters within the AHP model.