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The Driving Forces Behind the Phenomenal Rise of the Digital Economy in China

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 September 2022

Chong Ma ,
Ji-Ye Mao Open the ORCID record for Ji-Ye Mao [Opens in a new window]  and
Xiao-Peng An
Chong Ma
Affiliation:
Renmin University of China, China
Ji-Ye Mao*
Affiliation:
Renmin University of China, China
Xiao-Peng An
Affiliation:
Ali Research Institute, China
*
Corresponding author: Ji-Ye Mao (maojiye@rmbs.ruc.edu.cn)
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Abstract

This research commentary responds to Jiang and Murmann (2022), by offering further explanations for the miraculous growth of the digital economy in China from both the demand and supply perspectives. To complement their views, we identify several additional important factors, and classify them in three categories in an explanatory model. We believe that factors on the demand side played a primary role, along with innovative and entrepreneurial e-commerce service providers on the supply side. Infrastructures and government policies provided the foundation and a facilitating environment. We conclude that digital transformation of traditional industries will become the next wave of digital economy, stronger than the previous wave of e-commerce. Implications for research and practices are also discussed. In addition, we highlight emerging trends and turbulences. In conclusion, despite short-term turbulences, we expect that the digital economy in China will make big-stride progress in the long term, with strong potential to continue its growth.

Keywords

digital economye-commerce in Chinaindigenous service providersonline retail
Type
Dialogue, Debate, and Discussion
Information
Management and Organization Review , Volume 18 , Issue 4 , August 2022 , pp. 803 - 815
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2022. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of The International Association for Chinese Management Research

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Footnotes

ACCEPTED BY Deputy Editor Johann Peter Murmann

References

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