The impact of digital economy on regional green and high-quality economic development in China
DOI: https://doi.org/10.3846/tede.2025.23454Abstract
With the rapid advancement of digitization, the duty of the digital economic climate in advertising regional economic growth is ending up being progressively noticeable. Nonetheless, there is relatively little research study on how the digital economic situation specifically impacts regional environment-friendly and high-quality financial growth (RGED). This study utilizes provincial panel data from 2013 to 2020 in China to empirically assess the effect of the digital economic environment and validates its effect with a fixed impacts model. The study has produced four unique and important findings for: firstly, the effect of the digital economic climate on RGED exhibits nonlinear qualities; Second of all, RGED is significantly influenced by the “∩ - formed” effect of the advancement of the digital economic situation and the degree of industrial digitization; Finally, the influence of digital framework and digital industrialization on RGED exhibits a considerable “U-shaped” pattern; Fourth, the digital economic situation indirectly advertises the growth of RGED by enhancing human funding and updating commercial structure. These conclusions offer beneficial plan support for relevant financial entities to achieve RGED.
First published online 05 June 2025
Keywords:
digital economy, green and high-quality economic development (RGED), human capital, fixed-effect modelHow to Cite
Share
License
Copyright (c) 2025 The Author(s). Published by Vilnius Gediminas Technical University.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
References
Al-Refaie, A., Al-Tahat, M., & Lepkova, N. (2020). Modelling relationships between agility, lean, resilient, green practices in cold supply chains using ISM approach. Technological and Economic Development of Economy, 26(4), 675–694. https://doi.org/10.3846/tede.2020.12866
Banga, K. (2022). Impact of global value chains on total factor productivity: The case of Indian manufacturing. Review of Development Economics, 26(2), 704–735. https://doi.org/10.1111/rode.12867
Botrić, V., & Božić, L. (2021). The digital divide and E-government in European economies. Economic Research – Ekonomska Istraživanja, 34(1), 2935–2955. https://doi.org/10.1080/1331677X.2020.1863828
Bełz, G., Wawrzynek, Ł., & Wąsowicz, M. (2019). Network potential of innovation in digital transformation projects. Transformations in Business & Economics, 18(2B (47B)), 694–708.
Bukht, R., & Heeks, R. (2017). Defining, conceptualising and measuring the digital economy (Development Informatics Working Paper No. 68). SSRN. https://doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.3431732
Chen, Y., Wang, Z., & Ortiz, J. (2023a). A sustainable digital ecosystem: Digital servitization transformation and digital infrastructure support. Sustainability, 15(2), Article 1530. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15021530
Chen, Y., Xu, S., Lyulyov, O., & Pimonenko, T. (2023b). China’s digital economy development: Incentives and challenges. Technological and Economic Development of Economy, 29(2), 518–538. https://doi.org/10.3846/tede.2022.18018
Cobb, C. W., & Douglas, P. H. (1928). A theory of production. The American Economic Review, 18, 139–165.
Cong, X., Wang, S., Wang, L., Šaparauskas, J., Gorecki, J., & Skibniewski, M. (2022). Allocation efficiency measurement and spatio-temporal differences analysis of digital infrastructure: The case of China’s Shandong Province. Systems, 10(6), Article 205. https://doi.org/10.3390/systems10060205
Di Maria, C., & Stryszowski, P. (2009). Migration, human capital accumulation and economic development. Journal of Development Economics, 90(2), 306–313. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdeveco.2008.06.008
Ding, Y., Zhang, H., & Tang, S. (2021). How does digital economy affect the domestic value-added rate of Chinese exports? Journal of Global Information Management, 29(5), 71–85. https://doi.org/10.4018/JGIM.20210901.oa5
Dou, Q., & Gao, X. (2022). The double edged role of digital economy in firm green innovation: Micro evidence from Chinese manufacturing industry. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 29, 67856–67874. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-022-20435-3
Fleischer, J., & Wanckel, C. (2023). Job satisfaction and the digital transformation of the public sector: The mediating role of job autonomy. Review of Public Personnel Administration, 44(3), 431–452. https://doi.org/10.1177/0734371X221148403
Freeman, C., & Louçã, F. (2001). As time goes by: From the industrial revolutions to the information revolution. Oxford University Press.
Gao, J., & Sun, L. (2022). The mechanism and path of the development of digital economy promoting the upgrading of China’s industrial structure. Enterprise Economy, 2, 17–25.
Garonna, P., & Sica, F. G. M. (2000). Intersectoral labour reallocations and unemployment in Italy. Labour Economics, 7(6), 711–728. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0927-5371(00)00018-X
Gebauer, H., Fleisch, E., Lamprecht, C., & Wortmann, F. (2020). Growth paths for overcoming the digitalization paradox. Business Horizons, 63(3), 313–323. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bushor.2020.01.005
Goldfarb, A., & Tucker, C. (2019). Digital economics. Journal of Economic Literature, 57, 3–43. https://doi.org/10.1257/jel.20171452
Guo, B., Wang, Y., Zhang, H., Liang, C., Feng, Y., & Hu, F. (2023). Impact of the digital economy on high-quality urban economic development: Evidence from Chinese cities. Economic Modelling, 120, Article 106194. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.econmod.2023.106194
Guo, C., Song, Q., Yu, M.-M., & Zhang, J. (2024). A digital economy development index based on an improved hierarchical data envelopment analysis approach. European Journal of Operational Research, 316(3), 1146–1157. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejor.2024.02.023
Gupta, S., Modgil, S., Gunasekaran, A., & Bag, S. (2020). Dynamic capabilities and institutional theories for Industry 4.0 and digital supply chain. Supply Chain Forum: An International Journal, 21(3), 139–157. https://doi.org/10.1080/16258312.2020.1757369
Hanushek, E. A., & Woessmann, L. (2012). Do better schools lead to more growth? Cognitive skills, economic outcomes, and causation. Journal of Economic Growth, 17, 267–321. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10887-012-9081-x
Herrera, F., Herrera-Niedma, E., & Chiclana, F. (2001). Multiperson decision-making based on multiplicative preference relations. European Journal of Operational Research, 129(2), 372–385. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0377-2217(99)00197-6
Higón, D. (2012). The impact of ICT on innovation activities: Evidence for UK SMEs. International Small Business Journal, 30(6), 684–699. https://doi.org/10.1177/0266242610374484
Ionescu, R., Zlati, M., Antohi, V., & Matis, C. (2023). Regional digital economy in the Danube Member States under the impact of the new challenges. Technological and Economic Development of Economy, 29(2), 382–410. https://doi.org/10.3846/tede.2022.17897
Karman, A., Kijek, A., & Kijek, T. (2020). Eco-innovation paths: Convergence or divergence? Technological and Economic Development of Economy, 26(6), 1213–1236. https://doi.org/10.3846/tede.2020.13384
Koloszko-Chomentowska, Z. (2015). The economic consequences of supporting organic farms by public funds: Case of Poland. Technological and Economic Development of Economy, 21(2), 332–350. https://doi.org/10.3846/20294913.2014.944957
Kong, L., & Li, J. (2022). Digital economy development and green economic efficiency: Evidence from province-level empirical data in China. Sustainability, 15(1), Article 3. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15010003
Koseoglu, O., Keskin, B., & Ozorhon, B. (2019). Challenges and enablers in BIM-enabled digital transformation in mega projects: The Istanbul new airport project case study. Buildings, 9(5), Article 115. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings9050115
Li, Z., & Wang, J. (2022). The dynamic impact of digital economy on carbon emission reduction: Evidence city-level empirical data in China. Journal of Cleaner Production, 351, Article 131570. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.131570
Li, Q., & Zhao, S. (2023). The impact of digital economy development on industrial restructuring: Evidence from China. Sustainability, 15(14), Article 10847. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151410847
Lin, Y., Wang, Q.-J., & Zheng, M.-Q. (2024). Nexus among digital economy, green innovation, and green development: Evidence from China. Emerging Markets Finance and Trade, 60(4), 704–723. https://doi.org/10.1080/1540496X.2023.2258260
Liu, L., Ding, T., & Wang, H. (2022). Digital economy, technological innovation and green high-quality development of industry: A study case of China. Sustainability, 14(17), Article 11078. https://doi.org/10.3390/su141711078
Liu, Y., & Chen, X. (2021). The effect of digital economy on industrial structure upgrade in China. Research on Economics and Management, 8, 15–29. https://doi.org/10.13502/j.cnki.issn1000-7636.2021.08. 002
Luo, S., Yimamu, N., Li, Y., Wu, H., Irfan, M., & Hao, Y. (2023). Digitalization and sustainable development: How could digital economy development improve green innovation in China? Business Strategy and the Environment, 32(4), 1847–1871. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.3223
Mackinnon, D. P., Warsi, G., & Dwyer, J. H. (1995). A simulation study of mediated effect measures. Multivariate Behavioral Research, 30, 41–62. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15327906mbr3001_3
Mandelman, F., & Zlate, A. (2012). Immigration, remittances and business cycles. Journal of Monetary Economics, 59(2), 196–213. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jmoneco.2012.01.004
Ma, Z. D., & Ning, C. S. (2020). Digital economy, factor allocation and quality upgrading of manufacturing industry. Reform of Economic System, 3, 24–30.
National Bureau of Statistics of China. (2021a). China City Statistical Yearbook. China Statistics Press.
National Bureau of Statistics of China. (2021b). China Statistical Yearbook. China Statistics Press.
National Bureau of Statistics of China & Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security of China. (2021). China Labor Statistical Yearbook. China Statistics Press.
Oh, D. (2010). A global Malmquist-Luenberger productivity index. Journal of Productivity Analysis, 34, 183–197. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11123-010-0178-y
Olczyk, M., & Kuc-Czarnecka, M. (2022). Digital transformation and economic growth – DESI improvement and implementation. Technological and Economic Development of Economy, 28(3), 775–803. https://doi.org/10.3846/tede.2022.16766
Olszewska, K. (2020). Fostering digital business transformation and digital skill development for economic growth and social inclusion in Poland: A preliminary study. Nierówności Społeczne a Wzros Gospodarczy, 62(2), 278–293. https://doi.org/10.15584/nsawg.2020.2.18
Popescu, G. H., Andrei, J. V., Nica, E., Mieilă, M., & Panait, M. (2019). Analysis on the impact of investments, energy use and domestic material consumption in changing the Romanian economic paradigm. Technological and Economic Development of Economy, 25(1), 59–81. https://doi.org/10.3846/tede.2019.7454
Pouri, M. (2021). Eight impacts of the digital sharing economy on resource consumption. Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 168, Article 105434. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.resconrec.2021.105434
Prasetyo, P. E., & Kistanti, N. R. (2020). Human capital, institutional economics and entrepreneurship as a driver for quality & sustainable economic growth. Entrepreneurship and Sustainability Issues, 7(4), 2575–2589. https://doi.org/10.9770/jesi.2020.7.4(1)
Qi, Y., Niu, Y., & Zhou Z. (2023). Digital economy empowering the development level of Chinese manufacturing industry. Economic Computation and Economic Cybernetics Studies and Research, 57(4), 243–258. https://doi.org/10.24818/18423264/57.4.23.15
Ren, S., Hao, Y., Xu, L., Wu, H., & Ba, N. (2021). Digitalization and energy: How does internet development affect China’s energy consumption? Energy Economics, 98, Article 105220. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eneco.2021.105220
Romer, P. M. (1990). Endogenous technological change. Journal of Political Economy, 98(5), 32–36. https://doi.org/10.1086/261725
Sabli, N., Jaafar, N. I., & Azmi, A. C. (2023). Discovering the global landscape of digital economy: A two-decade bibliometric review. Technology Analysis & Strategic Management, 37(3), 282–297. https://doi.org/10.1080/09537325.2023.2290153
Salam, S., Hafeez, M., Mahmood, M. T., Iqbal, K., & Akbar, K. (2019). The dynamic relation between technology adoption, technology innovation, human capital and economy: Comparison of lower-middle-income countries. Interdisciplinary Description of Complex Systems, 17, 146–161. https://doi.org/10.7906/indecs.17.1.15
Schumacher, A., & Sihn, W. (2020). A strategy guidance model to realize industrial digitalization in production companies. Management and Production Engineering Review, 11(3), 14–25. https://doi.org/10.24425/mper.2020.134928
Shafi, M., Szopik-Depczyńska, K., Cheba, K., Ciliberto, C., Depczyński, R., & Ioppolo, G. (2022). Innovation in traditional handicraft companies towards sustainable development. A systematic literature review. Technological and Economic Development of Economy, 28(6), 1589–1621. https://doi.org/10.3846/tede.2022.17085
Solomon, E. M., & van Klyton, A. (2020). The impact of digital technology usage on economic growth in Africa. Utilities Policy, 67, Article 101104. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jup.2020.101104
Solow, R. M. (2000). The neoclassical theory of growth and distribution. PSL Quarterly Review, 53(215), 349–381.
Švarc, J., Lažnjak, J., & Dabić, M. (2020). The role of national intellectual capital in the digital transformation of EU countries. Another digital divide? Journal of Intellectual Capital, 22(4), 768–791. https://doi.org/10.1108/JIC-02-2020-0024
Tashenova, L., Babkin, A., Mamrayeva, D., & Babkin, I. (2020). Method for evaluating the digital potential of a backbone innovative active industrial cluster. International Journal of Technology, 11(8), 1499–1508. https://doi.org/10.14716/ijtech.v11i8.4537
Tian, Z., Li, Y., Niu, X., & Liu, M. (2023). The impact of digital economy on regional technological innovation capability: An analysis based on China’s provincial panel data. PLos ONE, 18(7), Article e0288065. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0288065
Wang, M., & Yin, X. (2022). Construction and maintenance of urban underground infrastructure with digital technologies. Automation in Construction, 141, Article 104464. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.autcon.2022.104464
Wang, Q., Liu, C., & Lan, S. (2022). Digital literacy and financial market participation of middle-aged and elderly adults in China. Economic and Political Studies, 11(4), 441–468. https://doi.org/10.1080/20954816.2022.2115191
Wan, Y., & Su, H. (2023). The nexus of green investment, high-quality economic development, and carbon emissions in China: Evidence according to an ARDL-ECM approach. Environment Development and Sustainability, 26, 22953–22974. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-023-03585-3
Wen, H., Lee, C-C., & Song, Z. (2021). Digitalization and environment: How does ICT affect enterprise environmental performance? Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 39, 54826–54841. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-14474-5
Wiblen, S., & Marler, J. (2021). Digitalised talent management and automated talent decisions: The implications for HR professionals. International Journal of Human Resource Management, 32(12), 2592–2621. https://doi.org/10.1080/09585192.2021.1886149
Xiao, Y., Wu, S., Liu, Z., & Lin, H. (2023). Digital economy and green development: Empirical evidence from China’s cities. Frontiers in Environmental Science, 11, Article 1124680. https://doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2023.1124680
Xie, H., Chang, S., Wang, Y., & Afzal, A. (2023). The impact of e-commerce on environmental sustainability targets in selected European countries. Economic Research – Ekonomska Istraživanja, 36(1), 230–242. https://doi.org/10.1080/1331677X.2022.2117718
Yousaf, Z., Radulescu, M., Sinisi, C. I., Serbanescu, L., & Păunescu, L. (2021). Towards sustainable digital innovation of SMEs from the developing countries in the context of the digital economy and frugal environment. Sustainability, 13(10), Article 5715. https://doi.org/10.3390/su13105715
Zoppelletto, A., & Orlandi, L. B. (2022). Cultural and digital collaboration infrastructures as sustainability enhancing factors: A configurational approach. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 179, Article 121645. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2022.121645
Zhang, J., Lyu, Y., Li, Y., & Geng, Y. (2022). Digital economy: An innovation driving factor for low-carbon development. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 96, Article 106821. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eiar.2022.106821
Zhang, M., & Yin, S. (2023). Can China’s digital economy and green economy achieve coordinated development? Sustainability, 15(7), Article 5666. https://doi.org/10.3390/su15075666
Zhang, W., Sun, B., Li, Z., & Sarwar, S. (2023). The impact of the digital economy on industrial eco-efficiency in the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) urban agglomeration. Sustainability, 15(16), Article 12328. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151612328
Zhou, Q., Wang, Y., & Yang, W. (2020). An empirical study on the impact of digital level on innovation performance – Based on the panel data of 73 counties (districts and cities) in Zhejiang Province. Science Research Management, 7, 120–129.
Zhuang, X., & Pan, L. (2022). Study on the impact of clean power investment on regional high-quality economic development in China. Energies, 15(22), Article 8364. https://doi.org/10.3390/en15228364
View article in other formats
Published
Issue
Section
Copyright
Copyright (c) 2025 The Author(s). Published by Vilnius Gediminas Technical University.
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.