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

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  • Mr. Tidiane Kinda

Abstract

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.

Suggested Citation

  • Mr. Tidiane Kinda, 2019. "E-commerce as a Potential New Engine for Growth in Asia," IMF Working Papers 2019/135, International Monetary Fund.
    • Handle: RePEc:imf:imfwpa:2019/135
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    9. Mohamed Chaffai & Tidiane Kinda & Patrick Plane, 2012. "Textile Manufacturing in Eight Developing Countries: Does Business Environment Matter for Firm Technical Efficiency?," Journal of Development Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 48(10), pages 1470-1488, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Kanit Sangsubhan & Kumpon Pornpattanapaisankul & Pisacha Kambuya, 2023. "Automation and Productivity: Evidence from Thai Manufacturing Firms," PIER Discussion Papers 199, Puey Ungphakorn Institute for Economic Research.
    2. Farah Alfanur & Yasuo Kadono, 2020. "Empirical Study Of Purchase Intention And Behavior Of E-Commerce Consumers In Indonesia," Malaysian E Commerce Journal (MECJ), Zibeline International Publishing, vol. 5(1), pages 20-28, December.
    3. Tomoyuki Yagi & Kakuho Furukawa & Jouchi Nakajima, 2022. "Productivity Trends in Japan - Reviewing Recent Facts and the Prospects for the Post-COVID-19 Era -," Bank of Japan Working Paper Series 22-E-10, Bank of Japan.
    4. Joel Alcedo & Alberto Cavallo & Bricklin Dwyer & Prachi Mishra & Antonio Spilimbergo, 2022. "Back to Trend: COVID Effects on E-commerce in 47 Countries," NBER Working Papers 29729, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.

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