Complementarity between platform and density:Evidence from the local instant e-commerce
As China's economy enters a new stage of development,the stabilizing role of the service sector in the economy and employment will be increasingly prominent.However,the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the process of digitization in the urban service sector which has raised questions about whether the population density still matters for services.This paper uses the consumption big data of Ele.me to find that under the complementary effect of local instant e-commerce and population density,urban consumer services can achieve scalability,diversity,convenience,and efficient matching.The platform expands the agglomeration effect of the urban consumer services with the increase of population density,achieving scale in the local market.The expansion of the content of consumer services on the platform improves the consumption choices of residents in low-density areas,narrows the gap in consumption choices within the city,and brings welfare improvement.The digitization of consumer services provides more satisfactory consumption choices and enhances the convenience of urban life.More accurate delivery of services improves consumption efficiency,and population density can amplify the matching efficiency between consumption service production and demand,reducing consumption distance and travel costs.Thus,the online platform economy empowers the consumer services,and improves the quality of life for urban residents.
NETL
NSTL
万方数据
