How Does the Platform Economy Affect Urban System: Evidence from Business-to-Business (B2B) E-Commerce Enterprises in China
In the new paradigm where the digital economy is profoundly reshaping urban spatial organization, how the platform economy transcends traditional geographical constraints to restructure the urban system has become a strategic issue in urban geography and regional economics. This study develops an in...
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| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Buildings |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/10/1687 |
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| author | Pengfei Fang Xiaojin Cao Yuhao Huang Yile Chen |
| author_facet | Pengfei Fang Xiaojin Cao Yuhao Huang Yile Chen |
| author_sort | Pengfei Fang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | In the new paradigm where the digital economy is profoundly reshaping urban spatial organization, how the platform economy transcends traditional geographical constraints to restructure the urban system has become a strategic issue in urban geography and regional economics. This study develops an innovative measurement framework based on Business-to-Business (B2B) e-commerce enterprises to analyze platform-driven urban systems across 337 Chinese cities. Using spatial autocorrelation, rank-size distributions, and urban scaling laws, we reveal spatial differentiation patterns of cities’ B2B platforms. Combining Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and random forest models with Partial Dependence Plots (PDP), Individual Conditional Expectations (ICE), and Locally Weighted Scatterplot Smoothing (LOWESS), we uncover non-linear mechanisms between platform development and urban attributes. Results indicate that (1) B2B platforms exhibit “superliner agglomeration” and “gradient locking”, reinforcing advantages in top-tier cities; (2) platform effects are non-linear, with Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Information Technology (IT) employment, and service sector shares showing threshold-enhanced marginal effects, while manufacturing bases display saturation effects; and (3) regional divergence exists, with eastern consumer-oriented platforms forming digital synergies, while western manufacturing platforms face path dependence. The findings highlight that platform economy evolution is shaped by a “threshold–adaptation–differentiation” mechanism rather than neutral diffusion. This study provides new insights into urban system restructuring under digital transformation. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-2e239d46db5a4fb98e49664603c9f589 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2075-5309 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Buildings |
| spelling | doaj-art-2e239d46db5a4fb98e49664603c9f5892025-08-20T03:47:48ZengMDPI AGBuildings2075-53092025-05-011510168710.3390/buildings15101687How Does the Platform Economy Affect Urban System: Evidence from Business-to-Business (B2B) E-Commerce Enterprises in ChinaPengfei Fang0Xiaojin Cao1Yuhao Huang2Yile Chen3School of Architecture and Urban Planning, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, ChinaCollege of Architecture and Urban Planning, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, ChinaFaculty of Innovation and Design, City University of Macau, Avenida Padre Tomás Pereira, Taipa, Macau 999078, ChinaFaculty of Humanities and Arts, Macau University of Science and Technology, Avenida Wai Long, Taipa, Macau 999078, ChinaIn the new paradigm where the digital economy is profoundly reshaping urban spatial organization, how the platform economy transcends traditional geographical constraints to restructure the urban system has become a strategic issue in urban geography and regional economics. This study develops an innovative measurement framework based on Business-to-Business (B2B) e-commerce enterprises to analyze platform-driven urban systems across 337 Chinese cities. Using spatial autocorrelation, rank-size distributions, and urban scaling laws, we reveal spatial differentiation patterns of cities’ B2B platforms. Combining Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) and random forest models with Partial Dependence Plots (PDP), Individual Conditional Expectations (ICE), and Locally Weighted Scatterplot Smoothing (LOWESS), we uncover non-linear mechanisms between platform development and urban attributes. Results indicate that (1) B2B platforms exhibit “superliner agglomeration” and “gradient locking”, reinforcing advantages in top-tier cities; (2) platform effects are non-linear, with Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Information Technology (IT) employment, and service sector shares showing threshold-enhanced marginal effects, while manufacturing bases display saturation effects; and (3) regional divergence exists, with eastern consumer-oriented platforms forming digital synergies, while western manufacturing platforms face path dependence. The findings highlight that platform economy evolution is shaped by a “threshold–adaptation–differentiation” mechanism rather than neutral diffusion. This study provides new insights into urban system restructuring under digital transformation.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/10/1687platform economyB2B e-commerceurban systemsuperliner agglomerationnon-linear mechanismspatial heterogeneity |
| spellingShingle | Pengfei Fang Xiaojin Cao Yuhao Huang Yile Chen How Does the Platform Economy Affect Urban System: Evidence from Business-to-Business (B2B) E-Commerce Enterprises in China Buildings platform economy B2B e-commerce urban system superliner agglomeration non-linear mechanism spatial heterogeneity |
| title | How Does the Platform Economy Affect Urban System: Evidence from Business-to-Business (B2B) E-Commerce Enterprises in China |
| title_full | How Does the Platform Economy Affect Urban System: Evidence from Business-to-Business (B2B) E-Commerce Enterprises in China |
| title_fullStr | How Does the Platform Economy Affect Urban System: Evidence from Business-to-Business (B2B) E-Commerce Enterprises in China |
| title_full_unstemmed | How Does the Platform Economy Affect Urban System: Evidence from Business-to-Business (B2B) E-Commerce Enterprises in China |
| title_short | How Does the Platform Economy Affect Urban System: Evidence from Business-to-Business (B2B) E-Commerce Enterprises in China |
| title_sort | how does the platform economy affect urban system evidence from business to business b2b e commerce enterprises in china |
| topic | platform economy B2B e-commerce urban system superliner agglomeration non-linear mechanism spatial heterogeneity |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-5309/15/10/1687 |
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