Clan Networks, Spatial Selection, and Farmland Transfer Contracts: Evidence from China

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

This paper tries to examine the relationship between spatial distance, clan networks, and the choice of farmland transfer contracts based on micro-level survey data from farmer households in China. This topic is interesting beyond its importance for Chinese rural sustainable development. However, there are still many problems need to be solved.

1. In Section 2, you indicate that "During farmland transfers, farmers acquire more information about transfer objects through the clan network, such as land quality, transaction history, and reputation. ", which is lack of support.

 

2. In the data section, the summary statistic tables should also include detailed variable definitions, min and max of the key variables. This is important for econometric analysis.

 

3. Regarding the regressors, the key explanatory variable seem to be endogenous variables, the endogeneity should be considered using IV regression or other methods.

4. There are already many papers in China which analyze the role of the clan network in farmland transfer.  The results in this study should be compared to the existing literature.

 

5. The English of this paper needs to be significantly improved. A lot of sentences and expressions sound very awkward.

 

The English of this paper needs to be significantly improved

Author Response

This paper tries to examine the relationship between spatial distance, clan networks, and the choice of farmland transfer contracts based on micro-level survey data from farmer households in China. This topic is interesting beyond its importance for Chinese rural sustainable development. However, there are still many problems need to be solved.

1.In Section 2, you indicate that "During farmland transfers, farmers acquire more information about transfer objects through the clan network, such as land quality, transaction history, and reputation. ", which is lack of support.

Response: 

Thank you for the feedback regarding our manuscript titled "Clan Networks, Spatial Selection, and Farmland Transfer Contracts: Evidence from China."

We appreciate the reviewers' attention to Section 2 of our paper, where we mentioned that "During farmland transfers, farmers acquire more information about transfer objects through the clan network, such as land quality, transaction history, and reputation." We apologize for any lack of supporting evidence in this section.

To address this concern, we will carefully review the available literature and empirical studies to provide substantial evidence and references that support the statement. We will include relevant citations to demonstrate the role of clan networks in facilitating information exchange and knowledge transfer during farmland transfers.

Our aim is to strengthen the credibility and validity of our research, and we will make sure to present well-supported arguments and claims throughout the manuscript.

Thank you once again for pointing out this issue, and we will ensure that the revised version of the manuscript provides a solid foundation for our statements.

If you require any further clarifications or have additional comments, please feel free to reach out to us.

2.In the data section, the summary statistic tables should also include detailed variable definitions, min and max of the key variables. This is important for econometric analysis.

Response: 

Thank you for the valuable feedback regarding our manuscript titled "Clan Networks, Spatial Selection, and Farmland Transfer Contracts: Evidence from China."

We acknowledge the importance of providing detailed variable definitions and summary statistics, including the minimum and maximum values of key variables, in the data section. These additional details are crucial for ensuring the transparency and replicability of our econometric analysis.

In the revised version of the manuscript, we will enhance the data section by including comprehensive variable definitions that describe the nature and scope of each variable used in the study. Furthermore, we will present summary statistic tables that contain the minimum and maximum values of the key variables, along with other relevant statistical measures to facilitate a better understanding of the data.

By incorporating these improvements, we aim to provide a more robust foundation for our econometric analysis and enhance the credibility of our research findings.

If you have any further suggestions or requirements related to the data section or any other aspect of the manuscript, please do not hesitate to inform us.

Thank you once again for your valuable input, and we look forward to submitting the revised manuscript with the necessary improvements.

3.Regarding the regressors, the key explanatory variable seem to be endogenous variables, the endogeneity should be considered using IV regression or other methods.

Response: 

Thank you for the valuable feedback on our manuscript titled "Clan Networks, Spatial Selection, and Farmland Transfer Contracts: Evidence from China."

We appreciate your insightful observation regarding the endogeneity issue with the key explanatory variables in our regression analysis. You are absolutely right that endogeneity can introduce bias and affect the reliability of our results.

In the revised version of the manuscript, we will carefully address the endogeneity concern by employing appropriate methods, such as Instrumental Variable (IV) regression, to deal with potential endogeneity in the key explanatory variables. This will help ensure the validity of our findings and provide more robust evidence for our study.

By incorporating these methodological improvements, we aim to enhance the quality and credibility of our research results.

If you have any further suggestions or specific recommendations related to addressing the endogeneity issue or any other aspect of the analysis, please feel free to let us know.

Thank you again for your valuable input, and we look forward to submitting the revised manuscript with the necessary methodological adjustments.

4.There are already many papers in China which analyze the role of the clan network in farmland transfer.  The results in this study should be compared to the existing literature.

Response: 

Thank you for your valuable feedback on our manuscript titled "Clan Networks, Spatial Selection, and Farmland Transfer Contracts: Evidence from China."

We appreciate your suggestion to compare the results of our study with existing literature that analyzes the role of the clan network in farmland transfer. In the revised manuscript, we will include a comprehensive review of relevant literature from China and internationally, comparing and contrasting our findings with those of previous studies. This comparative analysis will provide a clearer context for our research and highlight the novel contributions of our study to the existing body of knowledge.

By incorporating this comparison, we aim to position our research in the broader academic landscape and emphasize its unique insights, which will enhance the significance and relevance of our study.

If you have any specific recommendations regarding the literature to be included in the comparison or any other aspect of the analysis, please feel free to let us know.

Thank you again for your valuable input, and we look forward to submitting the revised manuscript with the additional comparative analysis.

5.The English of this paper needs to be significantly improved. A lot of sentences and expressions sound very awkward.

Response: 

Thank you for the feedback regarding the English language quality of our manuscript titled "Clan Networks, Spatial Selection, and Farmland Transfer Contracts: Evidence from China."

We acknowledge the importance of clear and effective language in scientific publications. In response to your suggestion, we will thoroughly revise the manuscript to enhance its overall clarity and readability. We will work diligently to improve sentence structure, expressions, and grammar to ensure that the content is presented in a more polished and professional manner.

To achieve this, we plan to  seek assistance from native English-speaking colleagues to review and refine the manuscript.

We greatly appreciate your guidance in this matter and assure you that we will make every effort to present the revised manuscript with improved English language quality.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you have any additional recommendations or if you require any further information.

Thank you for your understanding and support.

 

Comments on the Quality of English Language

The English of this paper needs to be significantly improved

Response: 

Thank you for your valuable feedback regarding the English language quality of our manuscript titled "Clan Networks, Spatial Selection, and Farmland Transfer Contracts: Evidence from China."

We sincerely apologize for any shortcomings in the English language of our paper. We understand the importance of clear and concise language in scientific publications and are committed to addressing this concern.

To rectify the issue, we will carefully revise the entire manuscript, focusing on improving sentence structure, coherence, and grammar to ensure that the content is presented in a more fluent and readable manner. Additionally, we will consulting with native English-speaking colleagues to further enhance the manuscript's language quality.

We genuinely appreciate your guidance and understanding and assure you that we will take this feedback seriously to produce a revised manuscript that meets the required language standards.

If you have any specific suggestions or preferences for English editing services, please do let us know. We are committed to delivering a revised manuscript that upholds the highest language standards.

Thank you for your continued support and consideration.

 

Author Response File: Author Response.doc

Reviewer 2 Report

As the authors note in the second paragraph of introduction section, “This study aims to explore how the clan network and spatial distance influence the choice of farmland transfer contracts and analyze their effects to deepen our understanding of the operational principles of the farmland transfer market and farmers' decision-making behavior. Furthermore, examining the impact of the clan network and spatial distance on contract choice provides a scientific basis for policymakers to optimize the farmland transfer market, promote efficient resource allocation, and foster sustainable development in rural economies.”.

It is an interesting paper but it suffers mostly because of the moderate quality of communication. Some comments are next given that help the authors to improve the manuscript.

- Because is difficult for the reader to sufficiently understand the significance of the study, authors should make more clear the practical importance of the present study, providing also more details in regards the local physical, economic, and social conditions as well as the framework of the local farmland policy.

- In regards the influence of the clan networks and spatial distance on the choice of farmland transfer contracts, it should become better clear by using the appropriate specific literature.

- The authors should check if sufficient definition for each variable and its measurement is given.

- They should sufficiently explain, ex ante, why each of the models I -VII is estimated.

- They should also eliminate those elements of the manuscript that nothing add to it or move them in an appendix as well as make some parts of the text more smooth.

- In regards the sample of the study, it must be explained if it is representative, e.g. by comparing the measures of certain attributes with the average of the region or the country.

- The authors should sufficiently discuss their results in comparison to those of the results of previously published analogous studies.

- The results and conclusion sections should become more friendly to the reader as well as the entire manuscript.

- The authors should correct some grammatical errors or phrasal nonconformities.

I suggest authors to properly elaborate on the manuscript following the above comments.

Author Response

As the authors note in the second paragraph of introduction section, “This study aims to explore how the clan network and spatial distance influence the choice of farmland transfer contracts and analyze their effects to deepen our understanding of the operational principles of the farmland transfer market and farmers' decision-making behavior. Furthermore, examining the impact of the clan network and spatial distance on contract choice provides a scientific basis for policymakers to optimize the farmland transfer market, promote efficient resource allocation, and foster sustainable development in rural economies.”.

It is an interesting paper but it suffers mostly because of the moderate quality of communication. Some comments are next given that help the authors to improve the manuscript.

1.Because is difficult for the reader to sufficiently understand the significance of the study, authors should make more clear the practical importance of the present study, providing also more details in regards the local physical, economic, and social conditions as well as the framework of the local farmland policy.

Response: 

We appreciate your valuable feedback on our study. We understand the importance of providing a clear understanding of the significance and practical importance of our research. To address this concern, we will enhance the discussion section of our paper to highlight the real-world implications of our findings and how they can contribute to the advancement of agricultural practices and land policy at the local level.

Furthermore, we will provide more in-depth details on the local physical, economic, and social conditions in our study area. By doing so, we aim to better contextualize our research and demonstrate how these factors might have influenced the outcomes of our study.

In response to your suggestion regarding the framework of the local farmland policy, we will include a comprehensive overview of the existing farmland policies and regulations in the study area. This will allow readers to better grasp the institutional context within which our research was conducted and the potential implications of our findings on policy development and implementation.

We hope that these improvements will address the concerns raised and provide a clearer and more practical understanding of the significance of our study. Thank you again for your valuable input, which will undoubtedly enhance the quality and impact of our research.

 

2- In regards the influence of the clan networks and spatial distance on the choice of farmland transfer contracts, it should become better clear by using the appropriate specific literature.

Response: 

Thank you for your thoughtful feedback. We acknowledge the importance of supporting our study's findings and claims with relevant and specific literature. To address this concern, we will conduct a more comprehensive literature review to identify and include relevant studies that have explored the influence of clan networks and spatial distance on the choice of farmland transfer contracts.

By integrating these studies into our paper, we aim to provide a stronger theoretical foundation for our research and demonstrate how our findings align with existing scholarly work in this field. This will enhance the clarity and credibility of our analysis, allowing readers to better understand the role of clan networks and spatial distance in shaping farmland transfer contract choices.

We appreciate your guidance in ensuring the robustness of our research, and we are committed to making the necessary revisions to improve the quality and coherence of our manuscript.

Thank you once again for your valuable input.

 

3- The authors should check if sufficient definition for each variable and its measurement is given.

Response: 

We sincerely appreciate your valuable feedback. In response to your comment regarding the definitions and measurements of variables, we will carefully review our manuscript to ensure that each variable is adequately defined and clearly explained.

To address this concern, we will provide more detailed descriptions of each variable used in our study, including how they were measured and operationalized. We understand the significance of providing a clear and comprehensive understanding of our research variables to enhance the overall clarity and replicability of our study.

By making these adjustments, we aim to strengthen the validity and reliability of our research findings and contribute to the scholarly community's understanding of the relationship between clan networks, spatial distance, and farmland transfer contract choices.

Thank you for your guidance, and we are committed to making the necessary improvements to enhance the quality of our manuscript.

 

4- They should sufficiently explain, ex ante, why each of the models I -VII is estimated.

Response: 

We appreciate your insightful feedback. In response to your comment regarding the explanation of the estimated models, we will provide a more comprehensive and detailed rationale for each of the models (I - VII) in our manuscript.

To address this concern, we will include an ex ante explanation for the choice and estimation of each model. We will clearly outline the specific research questions and hypotheses that each model seeks to address. Additionally, we will justify the appropriateness of each model in investigating the different aspects of the relationship between clan networks, spatial distance, and farmland transfer contract choices.

By providing a thorough explanation of our model choices, we aim to enhance the transparency and comprehensibility of our research methodology. This will allow readers to better understand the purpose and significance of each model and the specific insights it contributes to our study.

Thank you for your valuable guidance, and we are committed to ensuring that our manuscript provides a rigorous and well-explained analysis.

 

5- They should also eliminate those elements of the manuscript that nothing add to it or move them in an appendix as well as make some parts of the text more smooth.

Response: 

We appreciate your feedback and have carefully considered your suggestions. In response to your comment, we will thoroughly review the manuscript and identify elements that may not directly contribute to the core content. Any redundant or non-essential sections will be either removed or relocated to an appendix, ensuring a more concise and focused presentation of our research findings.

Furthermore, we will work on improving the overall flow and coherence of the text to make it more smooth and easily readable. We understand the importance of clarity and coherence in conveying our research message to the readers.

By implementing these changes, we aim to enhance the manuscript's readability and ensure that only relevant and significant content remains, resulting in a more impactful and well-structured paper.

Thank you for your valuable input, and we look forward to submitting an improved version of the manuscript.

 

6- In regards the sample of the study, it must be explained if it is representative, e.g. by comparing the measures of certain attributes with the average of the region or the country.

Response: 

Thank you for your valuable feedback. We agree that the representativeness of our sample is an essential aspect of our study. In response to your comment, we will provide a detailed explanation in the revised manuscript regarding the representativeness of our sample.

To establish the representativeness of the sample, we will compare the measures of certain attributes, such as demographic, economic, and social characteristics of the participants, with the average values of the region or the country where the study was conducted. This comparison will help demonstrate whether our sample is reflective of the broader population and if our findings can be generalized to a larger context.

By addressing this concern, we aim to enhance the credibility and reliability of our research outcomes, providing readers with a better understanding of the generalizability of our findings.

Thank you again for your valuable input, and we will make the necessary revisions to address this point.

 

7- The authors should sufficiently discuss their results in comparison to those of the results of previously published analogous studies.

Response: 

We sincerely appreciate your constructive feedback. In response to your suggestion, we will incorporate a comprehensive discussion of our results in comparison to the findings of previously published analogous studies in the revised manuscript.

By conducting a thorough review of the existing literature, we will identify relevant studies that have investigated similar research questions or examined comparable variables. We will then highlight the similarities and differences between our results and those reported in the literature, emphasizing the contributions and implications of our study to the existing body of knowledge.

This comparison will not only strengthen the significance of our findings but also provide readers with a broader perspective on the research topic and its implications.

Thank you for guiding us in improving the quality of our manuscript, and we will diligently address this point in the revised version.

 

8- The results and conclusion sections should become more friendly to the reader as well as the entire manuscript.

Response: 

Thank you for your valuable feedback on our manuscript.

We sincerely appreciate the reviewers' comments and the opportunity to revise and improve our paper. We understand the importance of making the results and conclusion sections more reader-friendly and enhancing the overall clarity of the manuscript.

To address this concern, we will carefully reorganize the results and conclusion sections to ensure a more coherent and accessible presentation of our findings. We will provide clearer explanations of the research outcomes, highlighting the practical importance of our study in the context of rural land transfer and agricultural development.

Additionally, we will review the entire manuscript to streamline the language and make the content more easily understandable to a broader audience. We will focus on enhancing the readability of the paper while maintaining the necessary academic rigor.

We are committed to making the necessary improvements to ensure the clarity and friendliness of our paper. Once we complete the revisions, we will submit the revised manuscript promptly.

Thank you again for your valuable feedback and guidance. We look forward to resubmitting an improved version of our manuscript.

 

9- The authors should correct some grammatical errors or phrasal nonconformities.

Response: 

Thank you for your feedback on our manuscript.

We appreciate the reviewers' attention to grammatical errors and phrasal nonconformities in our paper. We understand the importance of clear and precise language in scientific writing.

In response to this feedback, we will carefully review the manuscript and correct any grammatical errors and phrasal nonconformities to ensure the highest level of readability and accuracy. We will also pay close attention to the consistency of language throughout the paper to maintain a professional and coherent writing style.

We assure you that we will take this feedback seriously and make the necessary revisions to enhance the quality of the manuscript.

Thank you for bringing these issues to our attention, and we are committed to delivering an improved and polished version of our manuscript.

 

Author Response File: Author Response.doc

Reviewer 3 Report

1. There is an issue with the format of the title in Figure 1, which needs to be modified.

2. The format of Table 2 needs to be adjusted, and the data on the far right is obscured and cannot be seen.

3. The sequence number of the formula needs to be marked in order. There are two (2) numbered formulas that need to be modified.

4. The title of Article Content 4 is at the far right of the page and does not have the same format as other titles. It should be modified to keep all titles in the same format.

5. In the fourth paragraph of 3.3.2, it is suggested to add "selecting it as an independent variable" or to polish it to "selecting it as an independent variable is referring to the research of several scholars"

6. Suggest further improving the introduction and streamlining the language

1. There is an issue with the format of the title in Figure 1, which needs to be modified.

2. The format of Table 2 needs to be adjusted, and the data on the far right is obscured and cannot be seen.

3. The sequence number of the formula needs to be marked in order. There are two (2) numbered formulas that need to be modified.

4. The title of Article Content 4 is at the far right of the page and does not have the same format as other titles. It should be modified to keep all titles in the same format.

5. In the fourth paragraph of 3.3.2, it is suggested to add "selecting it as an independent variable" or to polish it to "selecting it as an independent variable is referring to the research of several scholars"

6. Suggest further improving the introduction and streamlining the language

Author Response

1.There is an issue with the format of the title in Figure 1, which needs to be modified.

Response: 

Thank you for bringing the issue with the format of the title in Figure 1 to our attention. We apologize for the oversight and will promptly rectify the problem.

We will carefully modify the title in Figure 1 to ensure that it adheres to the required format and is consistent with the other figures and text in the manuscript.

Your keen observation is greatly appreciated, and we are committed to providing a visually clear and professional representation of our research findings.

Once the necessary modifications are made, we will ensure that the revised Figure 1 aligns with the overall presentation of the manuscript.

Thank you for your valuable feedback, and we look forward to resubmitting the improved version of the manuscript.

 

2.The format of Table 2 needs to be adjusted, and the data on the far right is obscured and cannot be seen.

Response: 

Thank you for bringing to our attention the issue with the format of Table 2. We apologize for any inconvenience caused.

We will carefully adjust the format of Table 2 to ensure that all the data is clearly visible and not obscured. We will make the necessary modifications to improve the presentation and readability of the table.

Additionally, we will double-check the layout and formatting of the entire table to ensure that it meets the required standards and provides a clear representation of our research findings.

Your feedback is invaluable, and we are committed to delivering a high-quality manuscript with improved tables and figures.

Once the adjustments are made, we will resubmit the revised version of the manuscript for your review.

Thank you for your valuable input, and we look forward to addressing all the concerns raised in the review process.

 

3.The sequence number of the formula needs to be marked in order. There are two (2) numbered formulas that need to be modified.

Response: 

Thank you for your valuable feedback. We apologize for the oversight regarding the sequence numbers of the formulas in our manuscript.

We will make sure to mark the formulas in the correct order to ensure clarity and proper referencing. Specifically, we will modify the sequence numbers of the two (2) numbered formulas as per the correct order in the manuscript.

Our aim is to improve the readability and organization of the document, and your input helps us achieve that goal.

Once the necessary modifications are made, we will resubmit the revised version of the manuscript for your review.

Thank you for your meticulous review, and we appreciate the opportunity to enhance the quality of our research.

 

4.The title of Article Content 4 is at the far right of the page and does not have the same format as other titles. It should be modified to keep all titles in the same format.

Response: 

We sincerely appreciate your valuable feedback regarding the formatting of Article Content 4's title. We apologize for the oversight in its alignment and formatting.

In response to your suggestion, we will make the necessary adjustments to ensure that the title of Article Content 4 is aligned properly and follows the same format as other titles in the manuscript. By doing so, we aim to maintain consistency and enhance the overall presentation of the document.

Once the required modifications are made, we will resubmit the revised version of the manuscript for your review.

Thank you for your careful review, and your insights will undoubtedly contribute to the overall improvement of our work.

 

5.In the fourth paragraph of 3.3.2, it is suggested to add "selecting it as an independent variable" or to polish it to "selecting it as an independent variable is referring to the research of several scholars"

Response: 

Thank you for your valuable feedback regarding the clarity of the fourth paragraph in section 3.3.2. We acknowledge that the sentence may require further clarification to ensure a better understanding of our research approach.

In response to your suggestion, we will either add the phrase "selecting it as an independent variable" or rephrase the sentence as "selecting it as an independent variable is referring to the research of several scholars." This modification will provide readers with a more concise and coherent explanation of our methodology.

Your input is greatly appreciated, and we will make the necessary revisions to enhance the clarity and coherence of the manuscript.

Once the adjustments are made, we will resubmit the revised version of the manuscript for your review.

Thank you for your careful review, and we look forward to your further evaluation.

 

6.Suggest further improving the introduction and streamlining the language

Response: 

We sincerely appreciate your feedback on the introduction and language of our manuscript. We agree that a well-crafted introduction is crucial for conveying the significance and context of our study effectively.

To address this suggestion, we will work on further improving the introduction by providing more context and clarity on the research objectives and the practical importance of our study. Additionally, we will streamline the language throughout the manuscript to enhance readability and coherency.

By implementing these improvements, we aim to ensure that our research is presented in a clear and engaging manner, facilitating better understanding for readers.

We sincerely thank you for your thoughtful comments, and we will make the necessary revisions accordingly.

Once the modifications are completed, we will resubmit the revised manuscript for your review.

Thank you again for your valuable input, and we look forward to your continued evaluation.

Author Response File: Author Response.doc