Evaluation on Development Performances of E-Commerce for 50 Major Cities in China 중국 주요 50개 도시의 전자상거래 발전성과에 대한 평가

Abstract

Purpose – In this paper, the degree of similarity and dissimilarity between pairs of 50 major cities in China can be shown on the basis of three evaluation variables(internet businessman index, internet shopping index and e-commerce development index). Dissimilarity distance matrix is used to analyze both similarity and dissimilarity between each fifty city in China by calculating dissimilarity as distance. Higher value signifies higher degree of dissimilarity between two cities. Cluster analysis is exploited to classify 50 cities into a number of different groups such that similar cities are placed in the same group. In addition, multidimensional scaling(MDS) technique can obtain visual representation for exploring the pattern of proximities among 50 major cities in China based on three development performance attributes. Research design, data, and methodology – This research is performed by the 2013 report provided with AliResearch in China(1/1/2013~11/30/2013) and utilized multivariate methods such as dissimilarity distance matrix, cluster analysis and MDS by using CLUSTER, KMEANS, PROXIMITIES and ALSCAL procedures in SPSS 21.0. Results – This research applies two types of cluster analysis and MDS on three development performances based on the 2013 report of Aliresearch. As a result, it is confirmed that grouping is possible by categorizing the types into four clusters which share similar characteristics. MDS is exploited to carry out positioning of both grouped locations of cluster and 50 major cities belonging to each cluster. Since all the values corresponding to Shenzhen, Guangzhou and Hangzhou(which belong to cluster 1 among 50 major cities) are very large, these cities are superior to other cities in all three evaluation attributes. Twelve cities(Beijing, ShangHai, Jinghua, ZhuHai, XiaMen, SuZhou, NanJing, DongWan, ZhangShan, JiaXing, NingBo and FoShan), which belong to cluster 3, are inferior to those of cluster 1 in terms of all three attributes, but they can be expected to be the next e-commerce revolution. The rest of major cities, in particular, which belong to cluster 4 are relatively inferior in all three attributes, so that this automatically evokes creative innovation, which leads to e-commerce development as a whole in China. In terms of internet businessman index, on the other hand, Tainan, Taizhong, and Gaoxiong(which belong to cluster 2) are situated superior to others. However, these three cities are inferior to others in an internet shopping index sense. The rest of major cities, in particular, which belong to cluster 4 are relatively inferior in all three evaluation attributes, so that this automatically evokes innovation and entrepreneurship, which leads to e-commerce development as a whole in China. Conclusions – This study suggests the implications to help e-governmental officers and companies make strategies in both Korea and China. This is expected to give some useful information in understanding the recent situation of e-commerce in China, by looking over development performances of 50 major cities. Therefore, we should develop marketing, branding and communication relevant to online Chinese consumers. One of these efforts will be incentives like loyalty points and coupons that can encourage consumers and building in-house logistics networks.