The synergistic effects of e-commerce and digital finance on rural entrepreneurship: evidence from China

Zongyao Yang, Ying Zhou, Yujia Ding and Yueqing Ji

Applied Economics, 2025, vol. 57, issue 57, 9645-9660

Abstract: Digital technologies, exemplified by e-commerce and digital finance, have emerged as key drivers of rural entrepreneurship. However, their synergistic effects have received limited scholarly attention. This study employs a quasi-natural experiment of the ‘E-commerce into the Countryside’ (ECC) project, combined with the Digital Financial Inclusion (DFI) index, to examine the synergistic effects of e-commerce and digital finance on rural entrepreneurship in China. Drawing on nationally representative household survey data and a triple-difference (DDD) estimation strategy, this study shows that the synergy between e-commerce and digital finance significantly promotes rural household entrepreneurship. This synergy arises because e-commerce stimulates credit demand for entrepreneurship, while digital finance alleviates the corresponding credit constraints. Notably, this synergistic effect is observed primarily among agricultural entrepreneurs with internet access in non-deprived villages. Moreover, the synergy further fosters innovation in rural entrepreneurship. These findings underscore the importance of integrating digital technologies and addressing structural barriers to ensure the inclusive growth of the digital economy.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1080/00036846.2025.2582725

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