{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,26]],"date-time":"2026-06-26T00:48:40Z","timestamp":1782434920676,"version":"3.54.5"},"reference-count":49,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"11","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2020,11,12]],"date-time":"2020-11-12T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1605139200000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"funder":[{"name":"The National Social Science Fund of China","award":["15AGL002"],"award-info":[{"award-number":["15AGL002"]}]}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Information"],"abstract":"<jats:p>China\u2019s cross-border e-commerce will usher in a new golden age of development. Based on seven countries which include the Russian Federation, Mongolia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan and Belarus along the \u201cBelt and Road\u201d, an evaluation system for cross-border e-commerce investment climate indicators is established in this study. This research applied the entropy method twice to evaluate the investment climate of seven countries based on 5 years panel data comprehensively and these countries are then classified into politics-oriented and industry-oriented countries, and then the weight of indicators for each category is analyzed. In addition, cross-border e-commerce investors are proposed to prioritize industry-oriented countries. Back propagation neural network algorithm is used to map the existing data and optimize the evaluation index system in combination with the genetic algorithm. This research denotes the effort to find out the index evaluation combination corresponding to the best overall score, make the established evaluation index system applicable to other countries, and provide reference for cross-border e-commerce investors when evaluating the investment climate in each country. This study provides the important practical implications in the sustainable development of China\u2019s cross-border e-commerce environment.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/info11110526","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2020,11,12]],"date-time":"2020-11-12T10:00:32Z","timestamp":1605175232000},"page":"526","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":5,"title":["Evaluating the Investment Climate for China\u2019s Cross-Border E-Commerce: The Application of Back Propagation Neural Network"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"11","author":[{"given":"Yi","family":"Lei","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Economics and Management, Business Administration, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100000, China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Xiaodong","family":"Qiu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Economics and Management, Business Administration, Beijing Jiaotong University, Beijing 100000, China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2020,11,12]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Chen, S.C., Hou, J., and Xiao, D. (2018). \u201cOne Belt, One Road\u201d Initiative to stimulate trade in China: A counter-factual analysis. Sustainability, 10.","DOI":"10.3390\/su10093242"},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"314","DOI":"10.1016\/j.chieco.2016.07.007","article-title":"Understanding China\u2019s Belt & Road Initiative: Motivation, framework and assessment","volume":"40","author":"Huang","year":"2016","journal-title":"China Econ. Rev."},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"145","DOI":"10.1093\/cjres\/rsy032","article-title":"Chinese perspectives on the belt and road initiative","volume":"12","author":"Michawl","year":"2019","journal-title":"Camb. J. Reg. Econ. Soc."},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"76","DOI":"10.1080\/09557571.2018.1480592","article-title":"China\u2019s Belt and Road Initiative: Implications for the Middle East","volume":"31","author":"Kamel","year":"2018","journal-title":"Camb. Rev. Int. Aff."},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"84","DOI":"10.1111\/cwe.12222","article-title":"China\u2019s belt and road initiative: Can Europe expect trade gains","volume":"25","author":"Herrero","year":"2017","journal-title":"China World Econ."},{"key":"ref_6","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1233","DOI":"10.1007\/s10614-019-09886-y","article-title":"Forecasting trade potential between China and the five central Asian countries: Under the background of belt and road initiative","volume":"55","author":"Huang","year":"2020","journal-title":"Comput. Econ."},{"key":"ref_7","unstructured":"(2020, July 27). Ministry of Commerce of the People\u2019s Republic of China, Available online: http:\/\/www.mofcom.gov.cn\/article\/i\/jyjl\/e\/202007\/20200702986468.shtml."},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"5914","DOI":"10.3390\/su11215914","article-title":"Investigating the impact of critical factors on continuance intention towards cross-border shopping websites","volume":"11","author":"Yin","year":"2019","journal-title":"Sustainability"},{"key":"ref_9","unstructured":"(2020, April 13). Belt and Road Portal\u00b7YIDAIYILU.GOV.CN, Available online: https:\/\/www.yidaiyilu.gov.cn\/xwzx\/gnxw\/122663.htm."},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"(2019, November 15). Central People\u2019s Government of the People\u2019s Republic of China, Available online: http:\/\/www.gov.cn\/xinwen\/2019-11\/15\/content_5452490.htm.","DOI":"10.12968\/cypn.2019.11.15"},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"499","DOI":"10.1057\/palgrave.jibs.8400277","article-title":"The determinants of Chinese outward foreign direct investment","volume":"38","author":"Buckley","year":"2007","journal-title":"J. Int. Bus. Stud."},{"key":"ref_12","unstructured":"(2018, May 07). Ministry of Commerce of the People\u2019s Republic of China, Available online: http:\/\/file.mofcom.gov.cn\/article\/gkml\/201805\/20180502740111.shtml."},{"key":"ref_13","unstructured":"(2018, July 20). Belt and Road Portal\u00b7YIDAIYILU.GOV.CN, Available online: https:\/\/www.yidaiyilu.gov.cn\/zchj\/rcjd\/60645.htm."},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"297","DOI":"10.1007\/s10660-020-09409-0","article-title":"Study on convolutional neural network and its application in data mining and sales forecasting for e-commerce","volume":"20","author":"Pan","year":"2020","journal-title":"Electron. Commer. Res."},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"779","DOI":"10.1007\/s10660-019-09334-x","article-title":"Customs classification for cross-border e-commerce based on text-image adaptive convolutional neural network","volume":"19","author":"Li","year":"2019","journal-title":"Electron. Commer. Res."},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"321","DOI":"10.1007\/s10660-020-09411-6","article-title":"Product advertising recommendation in e-commerce based on deep learning and distributed expression","volume":"20","author":"Zhou","year":"2020","journal-title":"Electron. Commer. Res."},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"14","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ijinfomgt.2016.10.008","article-title":"A SEM-neural network approach for predicting antecedents of m-commerce acceptance","volume":"37","author":"Marinkovic","year":"2017","journal-title":"Int. J. Inf. Manag."},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"100898","DOI":"10.1016\/j.elerap.2019.100898","article-title":"Predicting actual spending in online group buying\u2014An artificial neural network approach","volume":"38","author":"Leong","year":"2019","journal-title":"Electron. Commer. Res. Appl."},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"59","DOI":"10.1016\/j.elerap.2017.08.002","article-title":"A cognitive buying decision-making process in B2B e-commerce using Analytic-MLP","volume":"25","author":"Vincent","year":"2017","journal-title":"Electron. Commer. Res. Appl."},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"132","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ijinfomgt.2018.10.010","article-title":"Modeling user preferences using neural networks and tensor factorization model","volume":"45","author":"Taneja","year":"2019","journal-title":"Int. J. Inf. Manage."},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"100874","DOI":"10.1016\/j.elerap.2019.100874","article-title":"Learning to rank products based on online product reviews using a hierarchical deep neural network","volume":"36","author":"Lee","year":"2019","journal-title":"Electron. Commer. Res. Appl."},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Gil-Cordero, E., and Cabrera-S\u00e1nchez, J.-P. (2020). Private label and macroeconomic indexes: An artificial neural networks application. Appl. Sci., 10.","DOI":"10.3390\/app10176043"},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Farhadi, M., Abbaspour-Gilandeh, Y., Mahmoudi, A., and Maja, J.M. (2020). An integrated system of artificial intelligence and signal processing techniques for the sorting and grading of nuts. Appl. Sci., 10.","DOI":"10.3390\/app10093315"},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Ad\u00e3es, J., and Pires, J.C.M. (2019). Analysis and modelling of PM2.5 temporal and spatial behaviors in European cities. Sustainability, 11.","DOI":"10.3390\/su11216019"},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"261","DOI":"10.1007\/s10257-019-00438-3","article-title":"Analysis of book sales prediction at Amazon marketplace in India: A machine learning approach","volume":"17","author":"Sharma","year":"2019","journal-title":"Inf. Syst. E-Bus. Manag."},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1080\/10192557.2017.1321731","article-title":"The Belt and Road Initiative in quest for a dispute resolution mechanism","volume":"25","author":"Wang","year":"2017","journal-title":"Asia Pac. Law Rev."},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Wu, T.B., Zhang, B., Cao, Y.K., and Sun, P.J. (2020). Impact of Multi-Dimensional and Dynamic Distance on China\u2019s Exports of Wooden Forest Products to Countries along the \u201cBelt and Road\u201d. Sustainability, 12.","DOI":"10.3390\/su12083339"},{"key":"ref_28","first-page":"3","article-title":"Undertaking research on Belt and Road Initiative from the geo-relation perspective","volume":"37","author":"Song","year":"2018","journal-title":"Geogr. Res."},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Jean-Marc, F.B., and Colin, F. (2017). The Geopolitics of China\u2019s Maritime Silk Road Initiative. Geopolitics, 223\u2013245.","DOI":"10.1080\/14650045.2017.1291503"},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"282","DOI":"10.1080\/03088839.2017.1400189","article-title":"Research trends and agenda on the Belt and Road (B&R) initiative with a focus on maritime transport","volume":"45","author":"Lee","year":"2018","journal-title":"Marit. Policy Manag."},{"key":"ref_31","unstructured":"Julien, C. (2019). China\u2019s International Investment Strategy\u2014Bilateral, Regional, and Global Law and Policy International Economic Law Series, Oxford University Press."},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1199","DOI":"10.1007\/s11442-018-1520-y","article-title":"A discursive construction of the Belt and Road Initiative: From neo-liberal to inclusive globalization","volume":"28","author":"Liu","year":"2018","journal-title":"J. Geo. Gr. Sci."},{"key":"ref_33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"101234","DOI":"10.1016\/j.chieco.2018.10.001","article-title":"The roles of cultural and institutional distance in international trade: Evidence from China\u2019s trade with the Belt and Road countries","volume":"61","author":"Ailan","year":"2020","journal-title":"China Econ. Rev."},{"key":"ref_34","unstructured":"Litvak, I.A., and Banting, P.M. (1968). A Conceptual Framework for International Business Arrangement. Marketing and the New Science of Planning, American Marketing Association."},{"key":"ref_35","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"279","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ijpe.2006.09.007","article-title":"An evaluation of the investment environment in international logistics zones: A Taiwanese manufacturer\u2019s perspective","volume":"107","author":"Yang","year":"2007","journal-title":"Int. J. Prod. Econ."},{"key":"ref_36","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"19","DOI":"10.1016\/j.intfin.2018.11.011","article-title":"The investment environment and cross-border merger and acquisition premiums","volume":"59","author":"Maung","year":"2018","journal-title":"J. Int. Financ. Mark. Inst. Money"},{"key":"ref_37","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"151","DOI":"10.1016\/j.euras.2017.03.001","article-title":"Investment climate in Russia and challenges for foreign business: The case of Japanese companies","volume":"8","author":"Ershova","year":"2017","journal-title":"J. Eurasian Stud."},{"key":"ref_38","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"264","DOI":"10.1057\/s41291-016-0009-8","article-title":"Firm-specific, national and regional competitive advantages: The case of emerging market MNEs\u2014Thailand","volume":"15","author":"Loykulnanta","year":"2016","journal-title":"Asian. Bus. Manag."},{"key":"ref_39","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"775","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jce.2004.08.006","article-title":"The determinants of foreign direct investment into European transition economies","volume":"32","author":"Bevan","year":"2004","journal-title":"J. Comp. Econ."},{"key":"ref_40","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Bruneckiene, J., Jucevicius, R., Zykiene, I., Rapsikevicius, J., and Lukauskas, M. (2019). Assessment of investment attractiveness in European countries by artificial neural networks: What competences are needed to make a decision on collective well-being?. Sustainability, 11.","DOI":"10.3390\/su11246892"},{"key":"ref_41","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"332","DOI":"10.1016\/j.enconman.2019.01.015","article-title":"Investment risk evaluation for new energy resources: An integrated decision support model based on regret theory and ELECTRE III","volume":"183","author":"Peng","year":"2019","journal-title":"Energy Conv. Manag."},{"key":"ref_42","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"101668","DOI":"10.1016\/j.resourpol.2020.101668","article-title":"Evaluation of Chinese natural gas investment along the Belt and Road Initiative using super slacks-based measurement of efficiency method","volume":"67","author":"Zhou","year":"2020","journal-title":"Resour. Policy"},{"key":"ref_43","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"65","DOI":"10.1016\/j.resourpol.2017.01.016","article-title":"Determinants of country competitiveness in attracting mining investments: An empirical analysis","volume":"52","year":"2017","journal-title":"Resour. Policy"},{"key":"ref_44","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"16","DOI":"10.1016\/S0377-2217(97)82784-1","article-title":"Evaluating foreign investment environment in China: A systematic approach","volume":"100","author":"Deng","year":"1997","journal-title":"Eur. J. Oper. Res."},{"key":"ref_45","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1053","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ibusrev.2016.01.004","article-title":"Measurement and structural invariance of entrepreneurial investment climate: A cross-country scale development","volume":"25","author":"Nam","year":"2016","journal-title":"Int. Bus. Rev."},{"key":"ref_46","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"5766","DOI":"10.1080\/00036846.2018.1488065","article-title":"Investment climate, outward orientation and manufacturing firm productivity: New empirical evidence","volume":"50","author":"Nguyen","year":"2018","journal-title":"Appl. Econ."},{"key":"ref_47","first-page":"98","article-title":"Improved entropy method and its application in economic benefit evaluation","volume":"18","author":"Guo","year":"1998","journal-title":"Syst. Eng. -Theory Pract."},{"key":"ref_48","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Luan, W., Lu, L., Li, X., and Ma, C. (2017). Weight determination of sustainable development indicators using a global sensitivity analysis method. Sustainability, 9.","DOI":"10.3390\/su9020303"},{"key":"ref_49","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Hua, S., and Ling, B. (2010, January 24\u201326). The Fuzzy Integrative Evaluation Model and Empirical Study of Enterprise Strategy Risk Based on AHP-Entropy Combination Weight Method. Proceedings of the 2010 International Conference on Management Science & Engineering 17th Annual Conference, Melbourne, Australia.","DOI":"10.1109\/ICMSE.2010.5719825"}],"container-title":["Information"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2078-2489\/11\/11\/526\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,11]],"date-time":"2025-10-11T10:32:24Z","timestamp":1760178744000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2078-2489\/11\/11\/526"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2020,11,12]]},"references-count":49,"journal-issue":{"issue":"11","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2020,11]]}},"alternative-id":["info11110526"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/info11110526","relation":{},"ISSN":["2078-2489"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2078-2489","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2020,11,12]]}}}