Author(s)

Qianqi Yang

Corresponding Author

Qianqi Yang

ABSTRACT

This dissertation studies the development of the labour force in China's e-commerce industry since 1980s and takes the Yangtze River Delta as the research object. This study is based on relevant literature and research that focus on the development of the global labour force, the development of China's labour force, the change of China's industrial structure, and the development of China's e-commerce industry since the 1980s. Post 1980, with the implementation of China's reform and opening up policy, China has rapidly grown into a group that cannot be ignored in its effect on economic development. China's e-commerce industry also occupies a large position in the global economic market. The development of labour force is accompanied by the development of industry. Studying the development of labour force in China's e-commerce industry is beneficial to the study of labour force changes and the development trend of labour force in emerging industries in the future. Yangtze River Delta is the earliest and best area for e-commerce development in China. This paper selects three mature e-commerce companies in the Yangtze River Delta, Alibaba, Pinduoduo and Suning, as case studies. This is a desk-based project, which use the case study approach. The data was mainly obtained from professional databases, official government data, third-party statistical data and the official website of the case company. Through the research, it is found that the development of e-commerce industry in China has a certain impact on the employment situation, providing many employment opportunities and adding many new types of jobs. At the same time, it is found that the shortage of skilled workforce and the shortage of low-skilled workforce in the labour market are more serious. In order to attract more high-quality employees, e-commerce companies attach great importance to campus recruitment for universities, cultivation of new employees and office environment. However, the working hours of e-commerce industry are generally long and the work tasks are excessive, which also has a certain impact on the physical and mental health of employees. The findings in this dissertation will contribute the study of labour market development, e-commerce and other new industries’ recruitment. In addition, it can also provide some references for the study of corporate ethics and labour pressure.

KEYWORDS

e-commerce industry, labour force, employment situation