The Effect of Cross-Border E-Commerce Adoption on the Internationalization Performance of MSMEs: The Mediation Role of International Market Access
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises increasingly use cross-border e-commerce to overcome foreign market entry barriers, yet its performance mechanism remains underexplored. This study examines whether international market access mediates the effect of cross-border e-commerce adoption on internationalization performance. A quantitative explanatory survey was conducted with 170 micro, small, and medium-sized enterprises engaged in digitally supported cross-border business activities. The data were analyzed using partial least squares structural equation modeling through measurement and structural model assessment. The results show that cross-border e-commerce adoption significantly improves internationalization performance and strongly enhances international market access. International market access also significantly improves internationalization performance and partially mediates the relationship between cross-border e-commerce adoption and internationalization performance. The model explains substantial variance in internationalization performance. These findings imply that digital adoption generates stronger international outcomes when firms transform platform use into practical access to foreign customers, market information, and international buyers
Institutions: Universitas Islam Malang, State University of Malang
Language: English
Subfield: Business and International Management
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: diamond
OpenAlex ID: W7218509859