The impact of e-commerce development on the supply chain competitiveness of a-share listed companies in China

In China’s modern economic system, e-commerce has become a crucial driver for the development of businesses and supply chains. To clarify the impact and mechanisms of e-commerce development on the competitiveness of corporate supply chains, this study conducts an empirical analysis using data from A-share listed companies between 2010 and 2022. The results indicate that: (1) The development of e-commerce significantly enhances the competitiveness of corporate supply chains, with results remaining robust after endogenous and robustness tests; (2) The level of e-commerce development can further promote the improvement of supply chain competitiveness by improving resource integration, alleviating financing constraints, and increasing R&D investment; (3) The effects of e-commerce development exhibit heterogeneity: in state-owned enterprises and firms with lower competition, the influence of e-commerce on supply chains is more significant; in regions with high-speed rail (HSR) connectivity, e-commerce not only stabilizes customer relationships but also promotes corporate innovation, whereas in areas without HSR, e-commerce development may significantly mitigate issues related to capital occupation. The core innovation of this paper lies in the construction of a “e-commerce—resource integration/financing constraints/innovation investment—supply chain competitiveness” three-dimensional driving framework, establishing a multi-indicator evaluation system, and conducting heterogeneity and mechanism analyses from multiple perspectives. This provides systematic empirical evidence for the role of e-commerce in enhancing supply chain resilience and competitive advantage, offering policy recommendations for businesses to effectively improve their competitiveness.