Toward a Sustainable Development of E-Commerce in EU: The Role of Education, Internet Infrastructure, Income, and Economic Freedom on E-Commerce Growth

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Policymakers and business leaders may benefit from the study's findings since it provides a comprehensive analysis of the many factors influencing the growth of online trade in the European Union (EU). Some suggestions for future enhancements are as follows:
Regardless of the strength of the research design and methodology, it is advised to give more clarity in articulating the hypotheses and research questions from the beginning to improve the reader's understanding of the study's goals. Explaining how each idea relates to the highlighted research need is highly recommended.
Enhancing the Review of Relevant Literature: Although you have provided a comprehensive review, you may do better by drawing a stronger connection between the results of prior studies and the value of your own study. To provide a clearer explanation of why your study is important, you should highlight how your work builds upon, differs from, or solves gaps in existing research.
Although the results are informative, the analysis may benefit from a closer look at how your findings will play out in the real world. The conclusions may be more convincing and useful if they included policymakers' and companies' and the EU's digital strategy's actual ramifications.
Given the ever-changing nature of e-commerce, it can be prudent to update your arguments and findings by including new research into your literature review.
Methodological Details: If you want your study to be more open and easy to replicate, you should explain how you chose your data sources and why you used certain methods, such the ARDL model.
How one sounds and looks: While the overall English quality is excellent, your report might benefit from some minor grammatical adjustments and terminology consistency to make it easier to understand and look more professional.
To our growing understanding of the many forces propelling the growth of EU e-commerce, your work is an invaluable contribution. The purpose of these suggestions is to help you improve and clarify your important research.

The overall quality of English in your paper is commendable; however, minor improvements could enhance clarity and readability. suggestions

1. Original Sentence: "Additionally we analyze the time responsiveness of e-commerce growth to changes in these factors."
• Suggested Correction: "Additionally, we analyze the responsiveness of e-commerce growth over time to changes in these factors."
2. Original Sentence: "In the long-run our findings identify a stable and positive relationship between e-commerce and all these factors."
• Suggested Correction: "In the long run, our findings identify a stable and positive relationship between e-commerce and all these factors."

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Thank you!

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 2 Report

The paper provides insights into the positive long-term relationship between e-commerce growth and variables such as education, internet infrastructure, internet usage, income level, and economic freedom. However, I also found weaknesses in the submitted paper.

Watch out for errors in the text. The source is missing on line 541.  

The spans for analysed variables is in my opinion questionable, with the shortest data series spanning 6 years and the longest covering up to 12 years. The differing lengths and relatively short span of some data series limit the study's capacity to comprehensively explore and validate long-term e-commerce trends. 

I also recommend delving deeper into specific policy recommendations based on the findings, which could make the paper more valuable for policymakers and stakeholders aiming to promote sustainable e-commerce growth. The paper should discuss strategies to mitigate the digital divide within the EU, mainly focusing on improving digital access and literacy among disadvantaged groups and regions.

Regarding methodological enhancements, I recommend employing additional statistical tests and econometric models to help validate the findings and explore complex relationships between the variables.

The discussion part of the paper also needs attention. I recommend adding comparative analysis with existing research in the field. Such an analysis could enrich the discussion by positioning the paper's findings within the wider body of e-commerce research, highlighting similarities, differences, and novel contributions.

The present article requires a major revision. 

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Thank you!

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Reviewer 3 Report

The paper comprehensively discusses the research topic. I congratulate the authors for this research!

You state 5 hypotheses, not only one. Please correct the title of particular chapter.

Please check the English language all over the paper and insert requisite corrections.

Author Response

Please see the attachment.

Thank you!

Author Response File: Author Response.pdf

Round 2

Reviewer 2 Report

Dear authors,

I have read your comments carefully regarding my objections.

I have checked the new texts in the paper, and I have no further comments.

The paper is suitable for publication.

Regards