Rural e-commerce and agricultural supply chain integration A panel data analysis of China's rural development

This study examines the impact of rural e-commerce development on the integration of agricultural supply chains in China, utilizing panel data from 27 provincial-level regions from 2016 to 2023. By constructing a dynamic panel model and employing the System Generalized Method of Moments (System GMM), we analyze how rural e-commerce infrastructure and logistics efficiency influence supply chain integration. The empirical results reveal that improvements in rural e-commerce infrastructure and logistics efficiency significantly enhance the integration of agricultural supply chains. Specifically, increases in rural e-commerce infrastructure and logistics efficiency lead to notable improvements in supply chain integration. Heterogeneity analysis indicates that these effects are more pronounced in economically less developed regions and western areas of China. Based on these findings, we propose policy recommendations, including increasing investment in rural e commerce infrastructure, enhancing logistics efficiency through technological advancements, implementing region-specific policies to address local needs, strengthening rural logistics networks, and fostering collaborative supply chain ecosystems. This research contributes to the literature by providing updated empirical evidence on the role of rural e-commerce in agricultural supply chain integration and offers practical insights for policymakers aiming to promote rural revitalization and sustainable agricultural development in China.