Geocoded National Address System as Core Infrastructure for Smart E-Commerce: Comparative Analysis and Policy Implications for Iran

Authors
1 Master of Science in Economics, Faculty of Economics, University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
2 PhD in Management of Technology, Faculty of Management and Economics, Science and research branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
Abstract
Digital transformation has increasingly positioned geospatial data as a core infrastructure within postal networks, logistics, and the digital economy. Despite the growing importance of such data, no composite index has yet been proposed to measure geospatial data maturity in a cross-country comparative framework. This study introduces the “SDMI” index, which evaluates three dimensions—geospatial data governance, technical capacity and infrastructure, and commercial integration—for ten selected countries. Relevant indicators were derived from international sources including IGIF, ODIN, 2IPD, and LPI, and data were harmonized using a moving average for the period 2019–2022. The results indicate that Singapore, South Korea, and Germany fall within the group of Enablers, while India and Vietnam are categorized as Starters. The study’s four-fold typology shows that institutional coherence in data governance, geocoding coverage and address standardization, and GIS integration in logistics operations are the key determinants of geospatial maturity. Sensitivity analysis further confirms the robustness of the index to changes in weighting. These findings suggest that countries can fully benefit from smart logistics and e-commerce only when institutional, technical, and commercial dimensions of geospatial data are developed simultaneously. Finally, the study presents policy recommendations for enhancing geospatial data maturity in Iran.
Keywords

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