IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/plo/pone00/0284503.html

Does e-commerce really matter on international trade of Asian countries: Evidence from panel data

Author

Listed:
  • Praveen Shanmugalingam
  • Ahashraaj Shanmuganeshan
  • Abinaya Manorajan
  • Mathusany Kugathasan
  • Geethma Yahani Pathirana

Abstract

Over the decades, technology has become an essential indicator to actively participate in the economic growth of nations. The usage of technology and e-commerce had created a new pathway to improve trade in Asian countries. This study seeks to verify the linkage between e-commerce and international trade. The annual data for panel data regression analysis were collected from the World Bank covering 38 Asian countries for 11 years, from 2010 to 2020. This study applied a set of estimation procedures such as descriptive statistic, correlation matrix, stationary test (Levin–Lin–Chu test, Breitung test, Augmented Dickey Fuller test, Harris–Tzavalis and Im–Pesaran–Shin test), Kao cointegration test, autocorrelation test and heteroskedasticity test. The two-step system Generalized Method of Moments (GMM) estimator was employed for dynamic panel data analysis. Empirical findings show that e-commerce significantly impacts the international trade of Asian countries. Governments of Asian countries should employ policies related to telecommunication technologies for e-commerce improvement and realize/ reap potential benefits from international trade.

Suggested Citation

  • Praveen Shanmugalingam & Ahashraaj Shanmuganeshan & Abinaya Manorajan & Mathusany Kugathasan & Geethma Yahani Pathirana, 2023. "Does e-commerce really matter on international trade of Asian countries: Evidence from panel data," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 18(4), pages 1-16, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0284503
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0284503
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0284503
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0284503&type=printable
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1371/journal.pone.0284503?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Hussain, Ammar & Batool, Irem & Akbar, Minhas & Nazir, Marina, 2021. "Is ICT an enduring driver of economic growth? Evidence from South Asian economies," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 45(8).
    2. repec:bla:ecorec:v:78:y:2002:i:242:p:327-42 is not listed on IDEAS
    3. Arellano, Manuel & Bover, Olympia, 1995. "Another look at the instrumental variable estimation of error-components models," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 68(1), pages 29-51, July.
    4. Visser, Robin, 2019. "The effect of the internet on the margins of trade," Information Economics and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(C), pages 41-54.
    5. Myovella, Godwin & Karacuka, Mehmet & Haucap, Justus, 2020. "Digitalization and economic growth: A comparative analysis of Sub-Saharan Africa and OECD economies," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 44(2).
    6. Elena Toader & Bogdan Narcis Firtescu & Angela Roman & Sorin Gabriel Anton, 2018. "Impact of Information and Communication Technology Infrastructure on Economic Growth: An Empirical Assessment for the EU Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-22, October.
    7. Burcu Ozcan, 2018. "Information and communications technology (ICT) and international trade: evidence from Turkey," Eurasian Economic Review, Springer;Eurasia Business and Economics Society, vol. 8(1), pages 93-113, April.
    8. Gnangnon, Sèna Kimm & Iyer, Harish, 2018. "Does bridging the Internet Access Divide contribute to enhancing countries' integration into the global trade in services markets?," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 42(1), pages 61-77.
    9. Choi, Changkyu & Hoon Yi, Myung, 2009. "The effect of the Internet on economic growth: Evidence from cross-country panel data," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 105(1), pages 39-41, October.
    10. Manuel Arellano & Stephen Bond, 1991. "Some Tests of Specification for Panel Data: Monte Carlo Evidence and an Application to Employment Equations," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 58(2), pages 277-297.
    11. Javier Barbero & Ernesto Rodriguez‐Crespo, 2018. "The effect of broadband on European Union trade: A regional spatial approach," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 41(11), pages 2895-2913, November.
    12. Raéf Bahrini & Alaa A. Qaffas, 2019. "Impact of Information and Communication Technology on Economic Growth: Evidence from Developing Countries," Economies, MDPI, vol. 7(1), pages 1-13, March.
    13. Lapatinas, Athanasios, 2019. "The effect of the Internet on economic sophistication: An empirical analysis," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 174(C), pages 35-38.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Awad, Atif & Albaity, Mohamed, 2022. "ICT and economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa: Transmission channels and effects," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(8).
    2. Sèna Kimm Gnangnon, 2022. "Internet, Participation in International Trade, and Tax Revenue Instability," Journal of Economic Integration, Center for Economic Integration, Sejong University, vol. 37(2), pages 267-315.
    3. Gnangnon, Sèna Kimm, 2020. "Internet and tax reform in developing countries," Information Economics and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 51(C).
    4. Patrick Bala, 2024. "The Impact of Mobile Broadband and Internet Bandwidth on Human Development—A Comparative Analysis of Developing and Developed Countries," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 15(4), pages 16419-16453, December.
    5. Kashif Iqbal & Muddassar Sarfraz & Khurshid, 2023. "Exploring the role of information communication technology, trade, and foreign direct investment to promote sustainable economic growth: Evidence from Belt and Road Initiative economies," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 31(3), pages 1526-1535, June.
    6. Phuc Nguyen, Canh & Dinh Su, Thanh & Doytch, Nadia, 2020. "The drivers of financial development: Global evidence from internet and mobile usage," Information Economics and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 53(C).
    7. Edmond Noubissi Domguia & Borice Augustin Ngounou & Thierry Messie Pondie & Isaac Appiah‐Otoo, 2026. "From Smokestacks to Smart Factories: Improving the Quality of Environment and the Rise of Knowledge‐Intensive Activities," Natural Resources Forum, Blackwell Publishing, vol. 50(2), pages 848-870, May.
    8. Daniel Ştefan Armeanu & Georgeta Vintilă & Ştefan Cristian Gherghina, 2017. "Empirical Study towards the Drivers of Sustainable Economic Growth in EU-28 Countries," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(1), pages 1-22, December.
    9. Abdulqadir, Idris A. & Asongu, Simplice A., 2022. "The asymmetric effect of internet access on economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 44-61.
    10. Njangang, Henri & Beleck, Alim & Tadadjeu, Sosson & Kamguia, Brice, 2022. "Do ICTs drive wealth inequality? Evidence from a dynamic panel analysis," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(2).
    11. Nour Medhioub & Younes Boujelbene, 2025. "Does Digitalization Moderate the Link Between Innovation and Economic Growth? A Two-Step Difference GMM Analysis of Developed and Developing Countries," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 16(1), pages 339-365, March.
    12. Habibi, Fateh & Zabardast, Mohamad Amjad, 2020. "Digitalization, education and economic growth: A comparative analysis of Middle East and OECD countries," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 63(C).
    13. Isaac Ketu & Jules-Eric Tchapchet Tchouto & Arsene Mouongue Kelly, 2022. "Does infrastructure development drive economic complexity in African countries?," Economics Bulletin, AccessEcon, vol. 42(4), pages 2043-2053.
    14. Avom, Désiré & Keneck-Massil, Joseph & Njangang, Henri & Nvuh-Njoya, Youssouf, 2022. "Why are some resource-rich countries more sophisticated than others? The role of the regime type and political ideology," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    15. Brankica Pažun & Zlatko Langović & Vladica S. Stojanović & Ana Langović Milićević & Ivan Božović, 2025. "The Influence of Information and Communication Technology on Economic Growth in Europe," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 16(6), pages 17840-17868, December.
    16. Bakari, Sayef, 2022. "The Impact of Digitalization and Patent on Economic Growth in Romania," MPRA Paper 113951, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    17. Abdulqadir, Idris & Asongu, Simplice, 2021. "The asymmetric effect of internet access on economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa: Insight from a dynamic panel threshold regression," MPRA Paper 109904, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    18. Dolores Añon Higón & Juan A. Daniel Bonvin, 2023. "Do digitalization spurs SMEs’ participation in foreign markets?," Working Papers 2307, Department of Applied Economics II, Universidad de Valencia.
    19. Ibitoye J. Oyebanji & Dayo B. Olanipekun & Ewert P. J. Kleynhans, 2022. "The Potential of Information and Communication Technologies to Generate International Trade in Africa," Managing Global Transitions, University of Primorska, Faculty of Management Koper, vol. 20(3 (Fall)), pages 237-257.
    20. Isaac Ketu & Paul Ningaye, 2024. "Sectoral Employment Shares Shape Economic Complexity: Empirical Evidence from African Countries," Global Journal of Emerging Market Economies, Emerging Markets Forum, vol. 16(2), pages 168-187, May.

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0284503. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: plosone (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/ .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.