Research on the Role of Platform Economy in Credit for Small and Micro Enterprises - A Case Study of Alibaba

Abstract

In the financial market, the financing needs of the micro-economy are concentrated at the long tail, and its development has always been a focus of social attention. In recent years, China has made significant efforts to address the financing challenges faced by small and micro enterprises. Despite these efforts, the financial support allocated to these enterprises remains disproportionate to their economic contributions. Unlike large and medium-sized enterprises, small and micro enterprises (SMEs) still struggle to obtain adequate financial resources, highlighting the incomplete coverage of the current Chinese financial system. As a result, these enterprises continue to encounter difficulties in securing necessary funding. Fintech can help these enterprises choose financing platforms and methods that match their development, enrich their financing channels, improve the loan issuance efficiency of financial institutions, precisely support their development, and ensure that the interests of stakeholders are realized. The report from the 20th National Congress emphasized the importance of establishing a supportive environment for the advancement of technology-driven SMEs. It also advocated for fostering the growth of specialized and innovative companies. This initiative sends a clear signal encouraging SMEs to innovate independently, which will undoubtedly have an important and far-reaching positive impact. However, SMEs are financially fragile, with prominent contradictions between their financing needs and the financial supply side. The integration of finance and technology has changed the operational mechanism of the financial industry. Fintech companies, through the application of emerging technologies, have expanded their business scope to long-tail small and micro clients, bringing new platforms for financing to these enterprises. This paper studies the case of Alibaba’s “Digital Hybrid Trade Show” initiative to further explore how fintech can be more effectively applied to the financing of SMEs, thereby aiding their stable and healthy development.