Socio-Economic Challenges of E-Commerce-Driven Exports: Regulatory Framework, Components, Institutional Capacities, and Approaches

E-commerce is one of the most prominent economic and social phenomena in our contemporary world, as it represents an effective gateway to promoting economic growth and opening new markets in light of the economic and social challenges facing many countries. To examine the contribution of e-commerce to promoting exports in Algeria, this study employed a descriptive and analytical approach to analyze indicators and metrics for the period 2012-2022, based on data obtained from national and international sources. To achieve the study's objectives and build a multiple linear regression model, a questionnaire was prepared based on previous studies on the research topic. The model considers three independent variables: (a) components of e-commerce, (b) the regulatory framework for e-commerce in Algeria, and (c) the regulatory framework for exports in Algeria. The model also includes a dependent variable, which is the exporting capabilities and methods of firms via e-commerce. The questionnaire consists of a total of 58 questions, including five questions to identify the firm characteristics. The study population comprised 5,502 exporting firms in Algeria (2022), from which a random sample of 360 exporting companies was selected to test the five hypotheses: (1) Algerian exporting companies possess the necessary components for e-commerce; (2) Algeria has the infrastructure and regulatory framework to support e-commerce operations; (3) Algeria offers a stimulating environment to support the promotion of Algerian exports; (4) Algerian companies possess the capacity and methods to conduct export operations via e-commerce; and (5) the regulatory frameworks for e-commerce and exports affect firms’ ability and methods to conduct export operations via e-commerce. Statistical analyses were conducted using the SPSS program, including Cronbach's alpha coefficient, arithmetic means, standard deviations, Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r), linear regression, and the Fisher F-statistic. The results confirm the validity of the model, with a Fisher statistic value of 381 (p < 0.05). The correlation coefficient (r = 0.873) indicates a strong positive relationship between the combined independent variables and firms’ exporting capabilities and methods via e-commerce. However, the variables of the regulatory framework for e-commerce and the regulatory framework for export were found to be weak, negatively impacting exporting capabilities, despite the availability of the necessary e-commerce infrastructure. The findings prove that Algeria is making significant efforts to promote e-commerce through incentive measures, stakeholder engagement, and educational initiatives to align with global trade developments and enhance the economic and social benefits for the national economy.