A study on the impact mechanism of internet embedding on rural E-commerce entrepreneurship

• Published in: Research in international business and finance Vol. 68; p. 102196
• Main Authors: Song, Ying, Yang, Lu, Li, Lu
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Elsevier B.V 01.01.2024
• Subjects: Entrepreneurial channels; Farmers’ e-commerce entrepreneurship; Internet embedding; Social capital; Entrepreneurial channels; Internet embedding; Social capital; Farmers’ e-commerce entrepreneurship
• ISSN: 0275-5319; 1878-3384
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ribaf.2023.102196

In the context of the rapid development of global Internet and e-commerce, rural e-commerce entrepreneurship has become an important driving force for rural e-commerce development. Using micro-survey data from five national e-commerce demonstration counties in China, this paper empirically examines the impact of Internet embedding on rural e-commerce entrepreneurship and the mediation effect of social capital. The results show that farmers are more likely to choose an independent entrepreneurship channel than a cooperative entrepreneurship channel when the Internet is embedded in rural areas. Then, social capital plays a suppressing effect between Internet embedding and farmers’ e-commerce entrepreneurial choices. In addition, under the condition of Internet embedding, farmers with more social capital are more likely to choose cooperative e-commerce entrepreneurship channels. [Display omitted] •This article contributed a new perspective and theoretical logic to farmers entrepreneurship research.•Study the impact of rural Internet applications on the choice of e-commerce entrepreneurial.•Social capital plays a suppressing effect between Internet embedding and farmers’ e-commerce entrepreneurial choices.•Both e-commerce organizational forms arise endogenously as an optimal response to incentives given farmers’ resources.