Exploring the income impact of rural e-commerce comprehensive demonstration project and determinants of county selection

This study investigates the impact of China's National Rural E-commerce Comprehensive Demonstration Project (NRECDP) on rural income. Using panel data from 592 national-level key poverty-stricken (NLKPS) counties from 2014 to 2020, the researchers find that NRECDP participation significantly increases rural income by approximately 12.97%, mainly due to financial support. The study addresses self-selection bias using an endogeneity switching regression (ESR) model. Determinants of NRECDP participation include economic development, e-commerce development, infrastructure, industry structure, and digital inclusive finance. Rural income is also influenced by education levels and population density. Heterogeneity analysis reveals stronger income growth effects in non-ethnic regions, central regions, counties with higher industry structures, and the "three regions and three prefectures." Entrepreneurship serves as a channel linking NRECDP and rural income growth.

Mengzhen Wang, Xingong Ding, Pengfei Cheng