COVID-19 containment policies, digitalization and sustainable development goals: evidence from Alibaba's administrative data

This study investigates the impact of digital platforms on the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), focusing on the business sustainability of MSMEs under varying COVID-19 containment policies in China. Using Alibaba's on-demand food delivery data, the study finds that digital platforms contributed to food security, well-being, employment, and business sustainability of MSMEs. Heterogeneous responses to the pandemic were observed, with complete lockdowns causing long-term negative effects on new entrants, especially in the cooked food industry. In contrast, chain stores with large networks or multi-app stores exhibited greater resilience. Specialization and wider network coverage emerged as key factors for business sustainability.

Xiaolan Zhou, Yasuyuki Sawada, Matthew Shum, Elaine S. Tan