Empirical study on the impact of e-commerce on export performance

Abstract

In recent years, scholars have shown a growing interest in firms’ integration of the latest digital technologies to enable exporting their goods and services, yet research in this field remains insufficient. Based on the resource-based view of the firm (RBV), this study examines the relationship between Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and export performance. We aim to unravel how to leverage ICT resources to strengthen e-commerce capability and ensure export ventures' success, providing perspectives at the firm and industry levels. At the firm level, we draw from the upper-echelon theory (UET) to explore the role of top executives' characteristics and IT capabilities in firms' export performance. We show that in tandem with e-commerce capability, the CEO's gender, seniority, and confidence levels considerably impact export outcomes and, subsequently, firms’ value. At the industry level, we investigate the effect of IT investment and outward foreign direct investment (OFDI). The results indicate that both factors significantly influence cross-border e-commerce (CBECOM). Findings are relevant for policymakers, practitioners, and firms of all sizes as the digital age presents both opportunities and challenges.