The role of e-commerce in the urban food system under COVID-19: lessons from China

Abstract

PurposeThe purpose of this study is to investigate e-commerce as a new means to ensure that the urban demand for food can be met during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak. Because a number of COVID-19 e-commerce models have emerged, this paper discusses whether and (if so) why and how e-commerce can ensure the food supply for urban residents if social distancing becomes a norm and the transport and logistics systems are hindered.Design/methodology/approachThis study used qualitative research methods following the lack of empirical data. The authors referred to relevant literature, statistical data and official reports and comprehensively described the importance of e-commerce in ensuring the safety of food supply to Chinese urban residents under the impact of the epidemic. Corresponding to the traditional case study, this study presented a Chinese case on ensuring food supply through e-commerce during an epidemic.FindingsThe authors found that three e-commerce models played a substantial role in preventing the spread of the epidemic and ensuring the food supply for urban residents. The nationwide e-commerce platforms under market leadership played their roles by relying on the sound infrastructure of large cities and its logistics system was vulnerable to the epidemic. In the worst-affected areas, particularly in closed and isolated communities, the local e-commerce model was the primary model, supplemented by the unofficial e-commerce model based on social relations. Through online booking, centralized procurement and community distribution, the risk of cross infection could be effectively reduced and the food demand could be effectively satisfied. The theoretical explanation further verifies that, apart from e-commerce, a governance system that integrates the government, e-commerce platform, community streets and the unofficial guanxi also impels the success of these models.Originality/valueLessons from China are drawn for other countries struggling to deliver food to those in need under COVID-19. The study not only provides a solution that will ensure constant food supply to urban residents under the COVID-19 epidemic but also provides some reference for the maintenance of the food system of urban residents under the impact of a globalization-related crisis in future.

A bibliometric analysis of food safety governance research from 1999 to 2019

“…The food supply chain disruption, food and water safety, food monitoring technology, malnutrition, and consumer food behavior would become new challenges under the COVID‐19 pandemic (Knorr & Khoo, 2020). Online booking, centralized procurement, and community distribution would become practical to reduce cross‐infection risk under the pandemics to meet urban residents' food safety needs (Guo et al., 2020).…”

“…Online booking, centralized procurement, and community distribution would become practical to reduce cross-infection risk under the pandemics to meet urban residents' food safety needs (Guo et al, 2020).…”

Reflections on Sustainable Consumption in the Context of COVID-19

“…In response, supply chains adjusted to these new conditions, but not without problems. There were price increases, shortage of supplies, and general logistic system issues (Guo et al, 2020). According to Free and Hecimovic (2020), many disruptions will continue to be present for producers and consumers up and down supply chains.…”

Explore the Approaches to Corporate Social Responsibility Implemented by E-Commerce Platforms in China During the Early Stage of COVID-19: A Mixed-Methods Content Analysis

“…During COVID-19, CSR actions included all the actions of companies aiming to prevent the public from any problems due to the crisis or mitigate the harm as far as possible. In China, a massive number of e-commerce platforms implemented various CSR actions during the early stage of COVID-19 (ESCOVID-19) 6,7 . For instance, Buy Together, a well-known platform of online retailing, slapped a ban on profiteering from the maliciously upward price of masks and other medical supplies in February 2020.…”