---
entity_slug: market_access_cost_structure
evaluator: null
evaluated_at: '2026-02-23T05:43:06.700701'
overall_score: 4.4
scores:
- name: definition_precision
  value: 4.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The definition clearly identifies the specific components of market access
    costs (transportation, security, infrastructure, time delays) and establishes
    their economic function in determining trade feasibility. It avoids circularity
    and captures a distinct analytical concept rather than a vague umbrella term.
- name: source_grounding
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity is directly grounded in Smith's detailed comparative analysis
    of water-carriage versus land-carriage costs, with specific examples of resource
    requirements (men, horses, waggons) that he uses to demonstrate how cost structures
    affect market access. The concept emerges naturally from his explicit discussion
    rather than being imposed from external frameworks.
- name: domain_placement
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: The "Exchange" domain is precisely correct, as market access cost structure
    is fundamentally about the conditions and mechanisms that enable or constrain
    trade relationships. This concept sits at the heart of Smith's analysis of how
    markets extend and contract based on transportation economics.
- name: vsm_relevance
  value: 3.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity has moderate VSM relevance, primarily mapping to S1 (operational
    costs of market participation) and S4 (intelligence about environmental constraints
    on trade). However, it's somewhat abstract as a structural economic concept rather
    than a clear organizational system component.
- name: explanatory_value
  value: 5.0
  max_value: 5.0
  rationale: This entity provides substantial explanatory power by illuminating the
    fundamental mechanism that determines market boundaries and trade feasibility
    in Smith's framework. It reveals how the internal structure of access costs, not
    just their absolute level, shapes economic geography and specialization patterns.
---

# Evaluation: Market Access Cost Structure

## definition_precision — 4.0 / 5.0

The definition clearly identifies the specific components of market access costs (transportation, security, infrastructure, time delays) and establishes their economic function in determining trade feasibility. It avoids circularity and captures a distinct analytical concept rather than a vague umbrella term.

## source_grounding — 5.0 / 5.0

This entity is directly grounded in Smith's detailed comparative analysis of water-carriage versus land-carriage costs, with specific examples of resource requirements (men, horses, waggons) that he uses to demonstrate how cost structures affect market access. The concept emerges naturally from his explicit discussion rather than being imposed from external frameworks.

## domain_placement — 5.0 / 5.0

The "Exchange" domain is precisely correct, as market access cost structure is fundamentally about the conditions and mechanisms that enable or constrain trade relationships. This concept sits at the heart of Smith's analysis of how markets extend and contract based on transportation economics.

## vsm_relevance — 3.0 / 5.0

This entity has moderate VSM relevance, primarily mapping to S1 (operational costs of market participation) and S4 (intelligence about environmental constraints on trade). However, it's somewhat abstract as a structural economic concept rather than a clear organizational system component.

## explanatory_value — 5.0 / 5.0

This entity provides substantial explanatory power by illuminating the fundamental mechanism that determines market boundaries and trade feasibility in Smith's framework. It reveals how the internal structure of access costs, not just their absolute level, shapes economic geography and specialization patterns.
