Abstract
This thesis explores the international expansion strategies of Chinese e-commerce companies, focusing on two representative platforms: Temu (by Pinduoduo) and AliExpress (by Alibaba Group). As Chinese digital platforms aggressively pursue ...
Abstract
This thesis explores the international expansion strategies of Chinese e-commerce companies, focusing on two representative platforms: Temu (by Pinduoduo) and AliExpress (by Alibaba Group). As Chinese digital platforms aggressively pursue global markets, their strategic approaches reveal both convergence and divergence shaped by platform business models, localization practices, and internationalization theories.
Employing a qualitative case study methodology, this research applies the Uppsala model, the Born Global theory, and Dunning’s OLI framework to analyze the internationalization processes of Temu and AliExpress. In particular, it examines their market entry strategies in North America (United States, Canada), Europe (Spain), and Asia (South Korea), highlighting their segmentation (STP), marketing mix (4P), and two-sided market strategies in competitive contexts.
The study finds that Temu adopts a high-risk, rapid expansion model resembling Born Global characteristics, while AliExpress follows a more gradual, Uppsala-style progression. Moreover, both companies leverage strong ownership advantages such as algorithmic capabilities and supply chain integration, but differ significantly in localization intensity and market prioritization. These findings suggest that the internationalization of platform-based e-commerce firms reflects a hybrid pattern that evolves beyond traditional models, calling for an updated theoretical perspective on digital globalization.
This research contributes to the understanding of how Chinese e-commerce platforms adapt and innovate their global strategies, offering theoretical insights and practical implications for platform internationalization in the digital economy.