Assessing the Contribution of the Digital Economy to Rural Industrial Revitalization
评估数字经济对农村产业振兴的贡献
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.65967/siss.v44i3.146Keywords:
Digital economy, Rural industrial revitalization, Sustainable development, Technological innovation, Spatial spillover effectsAbstract
The digital economy has emerged as a key driver of rural industrial development in China, contributing significantly to the country’s economic and social advancement. Using panel data from 30 Chinese provinces covering the period 2011–2021, this study examines the impact of the digital economy on rural industrial revitalization from a sustainable development perspective. The empirical results indicate that the digital economy significantly promotes rural industrial revitalization, while scientific and technological innovation acts as an important mediating mechanism in this relationship.The analysis further reveals notable regional heterogeneity, with the strongest impact observed in central regions, followed by western and eastern regions. Moreover, the influence of the digital economy varies across regions with different levels of rural employment. As the capacity for scientific and technological innovation improves, the positive effect of the digital economy on rural industrial development becomes increasingly pronounced. In addition, the digital economy generates spatial spillover effects, positively influencing local rural industries while exerting negative spillover effects on neighboring regions. Overall, these findings highlight the critical role of the digital economy in fostering sustainable development and promoting rural industrial revitalization in China.
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