Coupling Coordination Between the Digital Economy and High-Quality Development of the Manufacturing Industry: Evidence from Northeast China

In the digital era, the interaction between the digital economy (DE) and the high-quality development of the manufacturing industry (HQDM) has become a crucial driver of regional sustainable growth. This study aims to examine the coupling coordination relationship between DE and HQDM in Northeast China, a region where manufacturing digitalization remains relatively underdeveloped. This study develops tailored evaluation indicator systems for DE and HQDM, based on panel data of 34 prefecture-level cities in Northeast China during 2017–2022. The coupling coordination degree (CCD) model was employed to conduct spatial and temporal analyses of the DE–HQDM interaction. In addition, an obstacle degree model was employed to diagnose the key internal factors that impede the coordination between the two systems. Furthermore, cluster-based diagnosis revealed regional development heterogeneity. The results indicate that although DE and HQDM levels and their coordination have improved, there are significant spatial disparities. Compared with previous studies, this research provides new municipallevel evidence on the coordination between DE and HQDM in a traditional industrial region. These findings give important policy insights for regions facing similar challenges in industrial upgrading and digital transformation.