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Regional FinTech development and total factor productivity among firms: Evidence from China

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  • Li, Yunzhong
  • Ye, Chengfang
  • Li, Mingxi
  • Shum, Wai Yan
  • Lai, Fujun

Abstract

FinTech has been extensively applied in China in the context of high-quality development. This study quantifies the level of FinTech development in various Chinese cities based on the number of FinTech companies present, investigating the impact and mechanisms of regional FinTech development on enterprises’ Total Factor Productivity (TFP). The results indicate that FinTech significantly enhances enterprises’ TFP. This conclusion remains valid after a series of robustness tests. Mechanism analysis reveals that FinTech contributes to this improvement by enhancing credit availability of enterprises, increasing financing accessibility for businesses, reducing financing costs, alleviating financing constraints, and fostering technological innovation within enterprises. Heterogeneity analysis shows that this positive effect is more pronounced in highly competitive firms, non-financial background firms and regions with more favorable business environments. Overall, our findings demonstrate a positive impact of FinTech on enterprises’ TFP, providing new insights into its beneficial effects.

Suggested Citation

  • Li, Yunzhong & Ye, Chengfang & Li, Mingxi & Shum, Wai Yan & Lai, Fujun, 2025. "Regional FinTech development and total factor productivity among firms: Evidence from China," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 75(PA).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecofin:v:75:y:2025:i:pa:s1062940824002298
    DOI: 10.1016/j.najef.2024.102304
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    FinTech; Total factor productivity; Credit availability; Innovation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • G38 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Government Policy and Regulation
    • D24 - Microeconomics - - Production and Organizations - - - Production; Cost; Capital; Capital, Total Factor, and Multifactor Productivity; Capacity
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes

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