E-commerce as a Potential New Engine for Growth in Asia

July 1, 2019

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Format: Chicago

Tidiane Kinda. E-commerce as a Potential New Engine for Growth in Asia, (USA: International Monetary Fund, 2019) accessed September 27, 2024

Disclaimer: IMF Working Papers describe research in progress by the author(s) and are published to elicit comments and to encourage debate. The views expressed in IMF Working Papers are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the IMF, its Executive Board, or IMF management.

Summary

The use of e-commerce around the world has accelerated in recent years, with Asia, led by China, spearheading the rise. Using cross-country enterprise survey data, this paper shows that firms engaged in e-commerce have higher productivity and generate a larger share of their revenues from exports than other firms. This is particularly true in Asia, where firms have 30 percent higher productivity and generate about 50 percent more of their revenues from exports. The results presented in this paper are robust to the use of instrumental variables, which highlight possible larger effects of e-commerce on Asian productivity and exports when essential elements are in place for its effective use, such as reliable electricity, telecommunication, and transport infrastructure. Despite the rapid growth of e-commerce in recent years, gaps persist in digital infrastructure and legislation, preventing many Asian countries from fully reaping the potential benefits of e-commerce.

Subject: Exports, Human capital, International trade, Labor, Population and demographics, Production, Productivity, Total factor productivity

Keywords: Affiliate company, Asia and Pacific, E-commerce, E-commerce firm, Exports, Firm performance, Global, Human capital, Productivity, TFP of firm, Total factor productivity, Way firm, World Bank enterprises survey, World Bank enterprises Surveys, WP

Publication Details

Pages:

29
Volume:

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DOI:

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Issue:

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Series:

Working Paper No. 2019/135
Stock No:

WPIEA2019135
ISBN:

9781498317467
ISSN:

1018-5941

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