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Academic Journal of Business & Management, 2026, 8(10); doi: 10.25236/AJBM.2026.081006.

Supply Chain Resilience and Enhancement Paths of Cross-border E-commerce Export Empowered by Liaoning Ports under the RCEP Framework

Author(s)

Fenglin Yang, Lina Wang

Corresponding Author:
Lina Wang
Affiliation(s)

School of International Business, Liaoning Normal University, Dalian, 116000, China

Abstract

The Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) agreement has created unprecedented institutional opportunities for cross-border e-commerce (CBE) development in China's northeastern region. This study examines how Liaoning's port infrastructure empowers CBE export supply chain resilience under the RCEP framework, employing a mixed-methods approach combining panel data analysis of 120 CBE enterprises across Liaoning's seven comprehensive pilot zones from 2018 to 2024, with structural equation modeling and in-depth case studies. Our findings reveal that RCEP-driven port empowerment significantly enhances supply chain resilience (β = 0.386, p < 0.01), with supply chain integration serving as a critical mediation mechanism (Sobel Z = 4.852, p < 0.01). The heterogeneity analysis demonstrates that port empowerment effects are most pronounced in Dalian (β = 0.452) and Yingkou (β = 0.381) port areas, while inland ports exhibit moderate but statistically significant effects. Furthermore, the digital transformation of port operations and multimodal transport integration emerge as key moderating factors. Based on these findings, we propose a systematic enhancement framework encompassing institutional optimization, digital infrastructure upgrading, overseas warehouse network expansion, and talent cultivation. This research contributes to the theoretical understanding of port-CBE nexus in regional trade agreements and provides actionable policy recommendations for leveraging RCEP institutional dividends to strengthen northeastern China's digital trade competitiveness.

Keywords

RCEP; Cross-border e-commerce; Port empowerment; Supply chain resilience; Liaoning; Digital trade

Cite This Paper

Fenglin Yang, Lina Wang. Supply Chain Resilience and Enhancement Paths of Cross-border E-commerce Export Empowered by Liaoning Ports under the RCEP Framework. Academic Journal of Business & Management (2026), Vol. 8, Issue 10: 39-47. https://doi.org/10.25236/AJBM.2026.081006.

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