How online food delivery platforms contributed to the resilience of the urban food system in China during the COVID-19 pandemic

IF 9.8 1区经济学 Q1 FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

Global Food Security-Agriculture Policy Economics and Environment Pub Date : 2022-12-01 DOI:10.1016/j.gfs.2022.100658

Xiaobing Wang , Fangxiao Zhao , Xu Tian , Shi Min , Stephan von Cramon-Taubadel , Jikun Huang , Shenggen Fan

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引用次数: 3

Abstract

We use high-frequency data to quantify the nature and performance of online food delivery platforms during the COVID-19 pandemic in urban China, and to estimate the short- and long-term effects of lockdown and reopening measures. A staggered difference-in-differences (DID) estimation strategy and event study approach are used to identify the effects of lockdown and reopening measures on the performance of online food delivery platforms and restaurants. The results indicate that some restaurants continued to operate and offer online food delivery while lockdowns were in effect. Both the number of operating restaurants and their online food delivery services rebounded and experienced further growth after lockdowns were lifted. The adjustment path of the online food delivery business following the implementation of lockdowns differed from the adjustment path following the lifting of lockdowns. The lockdown and reopening measures did not affect all types of restaurant/cuisine equally. We also examine possible impact mechanisms of lockdown measures on online food delivery and restaurants, and conduct robustness checks to confirm the stability of the main findings. This study contributes to the existing literature by confirming the positive contribution of online food delivery to the resilience of urban food systems in response to unexpected external shocks. Our results have implications for the design of policies to guarantee food supply and help urban food systems adapt to unexpected shocks.

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在2019冠状病毒病大流行期间，在线外卖平台如何为中国城市食品系统的抵御力做出贡献

我们利用高频数据量化了2019冠状病毒病大流行期间中国城市在线外卖平台的性质和表现，并估计了封锁和重新开放措施的短期和长期影响。采用交错差分估计策略和事件研究方法，确定了封锁和重新开放措施对在线外卖平台和餐馆业绩的影响。结果显示，在封锁期间，一些餐馆继续营业并提供在线送餐服务。在解除封锁后，经营餐馆和在线送餐服务的数量都出现了反弹，并进一步增长。封城实施后的线上外卖业务调整路径与封城解除后的调整路径不同。封锁和重新开放措施对所有类型的餐厅/美食的影响并不相同。我们还研究了封锁措施对网络外卖和餐馆可能产生的影响机制，并进行了鲁棒性检验，以确认主要结果的稳定性。本研究通过确认在线食品配送对城市食品系统应对意外外部冲击的弹性的积极贡献，为现有文献做出了贡献。我们的研究结果对保障粮食供应和帮助城市粮食系统适应意外冲击的政策设计具有启示意义。

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来源期刊

Global Food Security-Agriculture Policy Economics and Environment FOOD SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY-

CiteScore

20.90

自引率

3.40%

发文量

期刊介绍： Global Food Security plays a vital role in addressing food security challenges from local to global levels. To secure food systems, it emphasizes multifaceted actions considering technological, biophysical, institutional, economic, social, and political factors. The goal is to foster food systems that meet nutritional needs, preserve the environment, support livelihoods, tackle climate change, and diminish inequalities. This journal serves as a platform for researchers, policymakers, and practitioners to access and engage with recent, diverse research and perspectives on achieving sustainable food security globally. It aspires to be an internationally recognized resource presenting cutting-edge insights in an accessible manner to a broad audience.