Call for papers on e-commerce for rural and agricultural development

Abstract

E-commerce (electronic commerce) refers to online sales or purchases of goods and services via electronic platforms (e.g., Amazon, eBay, and Taobao). Supported by the global digital revolution, e-commerce has accelerated in recent years. The occurrence of COVID 19 has further boosted e-commerce development, especially in rural areas. The fast development of e-commerce prioritizes rural and agricultural development by reshaping people’s production and consumption patterns and daily lives. Previous studies have shown that rural e-commerce development can improve farm production and farmers’ access to domestic and international markets, alleviate poverty, narrow rural–urban income gaps, foster agricultural entrepreneurship, and create rural employment. Nevertheless, e-commerce’s potential to foster rural development is far from being fully concluded and exploited. Thus, more research is warranted to clarify the relationship between e-commerce development and rural development.