IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/wly/jnddns/v2025y2025i1n2791558.html

Comprehensive Measures, Regional Differences, and Dynamic Evolution of e‐Commerce Level in China Based on the e‐Commerce Data of 31 Provinces From 2013 to 2021

Author

Listed:
  • Jingrong Li
  • Juntong Liu

Abstract

At present, the digital transformation in the global economy is accelerating. In order to understand the development of e‐commerce in China correctly, the study establishes eight secondary indicators to estimate the level of e‐commerce in China from 2013 to 2021 with the entropy weight–CRITIC method. Using the Dagum Gini coefficient, we investigated the overall, intraregional, and interregional differences in the level of e‐commerce in China. Through Kernel density estimation and Markov chain analysis, the study explored the dynamic evolution characteristics of their distribution. From 2013 to 2021, the level of e‐commerce in China exhibited a fluctuating upward trend, with an overall growth rate of 71.82%, but the overall level of e‐commerce was still low, showing a strong presence in the east and a weak presence in the west. It is evident that the differences in the level of e‐commerce mainly came from regional variations, with an average contribution rate of 72.98%. From the perspective of the dynamic evolution of distribution, the level of Chinese e‐commerce exhibited strong stability and characteristics of club convergence. Considering the spatial factors, the convergence of Chinese e‐commerce levels is evident. Based on the results, the study will propose a series of countermeasures and suggestions for adopting a regional coordinated development strategy to reduce the gap in e‐commerce levels between different regions.

Suggested Citation

  • Jingrong Li & Juntong Liu, 2025. "Comprehensive Measures, Regional Differences, and Dynamic Evolution of e‐Commerce Level in China Based on the e‐Commerce Data of 31 Provinces From 2013 to 2021," Discrete Dynamics in Nature and Society, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 2025(1).
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:jnddns:v:2025:y:2025:i:1:n:2791558
    DOI: 10.1155/ddns/2791558
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://doi.org/10.1155/ddns/2791558
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1155/ddns/2791558?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. Liang Xiao & Yanan Zhang, 2022. "An analysis on the policy evolution of cross-border ecommerce industry in China from the perspective of sustainability," Electronic Commerce Research, Springer, vol. 22(3), pages 875-899, September.
    2. Jinzhou Geng & Chenggang Li, 2020. "Empirical Research on the Spatial Distribution and Determinants of Regional E-Commerce in China: Evidence from Chinese Provinces," Emerging Markets Finance and Trade, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 56(13), pages 3117-3133, October.
    3. Agrawal, David R. & Wildasin, David E., 2020. "Technology and tax systems," Journal of Public Economics, Elsevier, vol. 185(C).
    4. Jinzhou Geng & Chenggang Li, 2020. "Empirical Research on the Spatial Distribution and Determinants of Regional E-Commerce in China: Evidence from Chinese Provinces," Emerging Markets Finance and Trade, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 56(13), pages 3117-3133, October.
    5. Lv, Chengchao & Bian, Baocheng & Lee, Chien-Chiang & He, Zhiwen, 2021. "Regional gap and the trend of green finance development in China," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 102(C).
    6. Qiangsheng Mai & Mengting Bai & Le Li, 2022. "Study on the Dynamic Evolution and Regional Differences of the Level of High-Quality Economic and Social Development in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(1), pages 1-15, December.
    7. Liu, Zhiyong & Li, Zipei, 2020. "A blockchain-based framework of cross-border e-commerce supply chain," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 52(C).
    8. Yufang Shi & Tianlun Zhang & Yufeng Jiang, 2023. "Digital Economy, Technological Innovation and Urban Resilience," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-19, June.
    9. Xiaolong Bai, 2022. "Exploring the Sustainable Development Path of a Green Financial System in the Context of Carbon Neutrality and Carbon Peaking: Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-25, November.
    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. Cai, Lifeng & Du, Qunyang & Bao, Liner & Boateng, Agyenim & Li, Zhongyuan, 2025. "Does cross-border e-commerce development promote the improvement of residents' income level? Evidence from China," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 77(PA).
    2. Yu, Biying & Tan, Jin-Xiao & Zhang, Shitong, 2024. "Uncertainties in the technological pathway towards low-carbon freight transport under carbon neutral target in China," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 365(C).
    3. Małgorzata Dziembała, 2021. "The Enhancement of Sustainable Competitiveness of the CEE Regions at the Time of the COVID-19 Pandemic Instability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(23), pages 1-17, November.
    4. Ya Li & Zhanguo Wei, 2022. "Regional Logistics Demand Prediction: A Long Short-Term Memory Network Method," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(20), pages 1-17, October.
    5. Min Jiang & Shuwang Yang & Guohua Zhou, 2024. "Study on the Coupling Coordination Development between the Digital Economy and Innovation Efficiency: Evidence from the Urban Agglomeration in the Middle Reaches of the Yangtze River," Land, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-20, February.
    6. Zhang, Xumei & Zha, Xiaoyu & Dan, Bin & Liu, Yi & Sui, Ronghua, 2024. "Logistics mode selection and information sharing in a cross-border e-commerce supply chain with competition," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 314(1), pages 136-151.
    7. Cao, Andi & Su, Mengying & Li, Houjian, 2024. "Digitizing the green revolution: E-commerce as a catalyst for clean energy transition in rural China," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 137(C).
    8. Fan Wang & Mingfeng Wang & Shichen Yuan, 2021. "Spatial Diffusion of E-Commerce in China’s Counties: Based on the Perspective of Regional Inequality," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(11), pages 1-17, October.
    9. Li, Zhaochen & Xu, Zimu, 2025. "Digital technology and innovation:The impact of blockchain application on enterprise innovation," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 139(C).
    10. Lee, Chien-Chiang & Qian, Anqi, 2024. "Regional differences, dynamic evolution, and obstacle factors of cultivated land ecological security in China," Socio-Economic Planning Sciences, Elsevier, vol. 94(C).
    11. Lee, Chien-Chiang & Xiao, Qian & Zhang, Xiaoming, 2025. "Green credit and systemic risk: From the perspectives of policy and scale," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 77(C).
    12. Chen, Hong & Hu, Shangui & Cai, Yuqing, 2024. "Driving effect of fintech on firm green innovation in China's strategic emerging industries: The mediating role of digital transformation," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 96(PA).
    13. Lee, Chien-Chiang & Wang, Fuhao & Lou, Runchi & Wang, Keying, 2023. "How does green finance drive the decarbonization of the economy? Empirical evidence from China," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 204(C), pages 671-684.
    14. Chaobo Zhou & Xinting Li, 2025. "Impact of Smart Cities on Urban Resilience: The Roles of Land Green Utilization Efficiency and Industrial Structure Transformation," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-19, June.
    15. Shi, Jinyan & Yu, Conghui & Li, Yanxi & Wang, Tianhe, 2022. "Does green financial policy affect debt-financing cost of heavy-polluting enterprises? An empirical evidence based on Chinese pilot zones for green finance reform and innovations," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 179(C).
    16. Hayato Kato & Hirofumi Okoshi, 2022. "Economic Integration And Agglomeration Of Multinational Production With Transfer Pricing," International Economic Review, Department of Economics, University of Pennsylvania and Osaka University Institute of Social and Economic Research Association, vol. 63(3), pages 1325-1355, August.
    17. Liu, Min & Guo, Tongji & Ping, Weiying & Luo, Liangqing, 2023. "Sustainability and stability: Will ESG investment reduce the return and volatility spillover effects across the Chinese financial market?," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 121(C).
    18. Lingui Qin & Yan Zhang & Yige Wang & Xinning Pan & Zhe Xu, 2024. "Research on the Impact of Digital Green Finance on Agricultural Green Total Factor Productivity: Evidence from China," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-23, July.
    19. Eleni Gaki & Manolis Christofakis & Andreas Gkouzos, 2025. "Navigating Turbulence to Ensure Sustainability: The Role of Economic Sectors in Shaping Regional Resilience in Greece Amid the Economic Crisis and COVID-19," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-22, March.
    20. Yao Wang & Qiang Yang & Xuenan Wu & Ruichen Wang & Tilei Gao & Yuntong Liu, 2023. "A Study of Trends in Low-Energy Development Patterns in China: A Data-Driven Approach," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(13), pages 1-18, June.

    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:wly:jnddns:v:2025:y:2025:i:1:n:2791558. 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: Wiley Content Delivery (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/3059 .

    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.