Search and Information Frictions on Global E-Commerce Platforms: Evidence from AliExpress

时间：2021年11月23日（周二）9:30-11:00am

主持人：余淼杰、余昌华

主讲人：Daniel Yi Xu, Professor of Economics at Duke University & Research Associate at the National Bureau of Economic Research (PR, DEV, ITI Groups)

线下：北京大学承泽园249教室

线上：加入Zoom会议：https://zoom.com.cn/j/92638897210?pwd=d1pkemQ3d2MrSmZLNzJmTzdCOCtBUT09

会议号：926 3889 7210

密码：908060

摘要：We study how search and information frictions shape market dynamics in global e-commerce. Observational data and self-collected quality measures from AliExpress establish the existence of search and information frictions. A randomized experiment that offers new exporters exogenous demand and information shocks demonstrates the potential role of sales accumulation in enhancing seller visibility and overcoming these demand frictions. However, we show theoretically and quantitatively that this demand-reinforcement mechanism is undermined by the large number of online exporters. Our structural model rationalizes the experimental findings and quantifies efficiency gains from reducing the number of inactive sellers.

主讲人简介:

Daniel Yi Xu is now an Economics Professor at Duke University and also a faculty research fellow at the National Bureau of Economic Research. His research mainly focuses on Productivity, International Trade, and Industrial Organization. He has received numerous grants from the National Science Foundation, the Private Enterprise Development in Low-Income Countries, and the NET Institute. His most recent work has been published in the American Economic Review, the Review of Economic Studies, the Rand Journal of Economics, the Management Science, etc. He is currently working on projects that explore innovation, productivity, exporting and industry dynamics, with a special focus on emerging economies such as China, Colombia, Taiwan, Korea, and Turkey.