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Can digital inclusive finance promote high-quality rural entrepreneurship? A county-level analysis from China

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  • Yu, Weizhen
  • Wang, Lu
  • Liu, Xiufen
  • Xie, Wenwu
  • Zhang, Minhui

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of Digital Inclusive Finance (DIF) on high-quality rural entrepreneurship in China using county-level panel data from 2014 to 2019 across 1,649 counties. The results identify an inverted U-shaped relationship between DIF and high-quality rural entrepreneurship. The usage depth and digitization level of DIF show a similar nonlinear effect, while coverage breadth does not significantly affect entrepreneurship quality. Moreover, a conducive business environment and high digital literacy amplify the positive impacts of DIF, making the relationship steeper and more pronounced. This study offers valuable insights for policymakers and stakeholders in emerging economies.

Suggested Citation

  • Yu, Weizhen & Wang, Lu & Liu, Xiufen & Xie, Wenwu & Zhang, Minhui, 2024. "Can digital inclusive finance promote high-quality rural entrepreneurship? A county-level analysis from China," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 67(PA).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finlet:v:67:y:2024:i:pa:s154461232400850x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.frl.2024.105820
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    Cited by:

    1. Shanhu Zhang & Jinxiu Yang & Yun Shen & Zhuoli Li, 2024. "The Impact of Digital Capabilities on Peasants’ Wage Growth: Evidence from Chinese Farmer Entrepreneurs," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-19, October.
    2. Jianwei Gao & Yuxin Wu & Haiwei Li, 2024. "Digital Inclusive Finance, Rural Loan Availability, and Urban–Rural Income Gap: Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(22), pages 1-25, November.
    3. Yang, Liuhui & Di, Jianguo, 2025. "Green supply chains and high-quality development of enterprises under tax reduction and fee decrease," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 98(C).
    4. Huang, Xucheng & Yang, Erjia & Wang, Wei, 2025. "Has the integration of fiscal agricultural funds promoted rural entrepreneurship?," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    5. Liu, Bei & Chen, Ziyi & Wang, Ying & Sun, Xiaolong, 2025. "Fintech empowers enterprises to practice ESG: The role of political background of executives," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 142(C).
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    7. Yang, Ming & Peng, HuaTao & Yue, Shunli, 2025. "How returning home for entrepreneurship affects rural common prosperity," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 98(C).
    8. Yang, Heng & Ma, Guimin & Tan, Bo, 2025. "The impact of higher education revitalisation on regional innovation capability," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    digital inclusive finance; high-quality rural entrepreneurship; business environment; digital literacy;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D10 - Microeconomics - - Household Behavior - - - General
    • E44 - Macroeconomics and Monetary Economics - - Money and Interest Rates - - - Financial Markets and the Macroeconomy
    • P34 - Political Economy and Comparative Economic Systems - - Socialist Institutions and Their Transitions - - - Finance
    • Q12 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Micro Analysis of Farm Firms, Farm Households, and Farm Input Markets
    • R11 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes

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