Coordinated governance for data value release in China

This study aims to examine how data value can be effectively unlocked in China's regulated digital economy through coordinated governance among government agencies, industry organizations, and third-party platforms. Building on coordination theory, the research integrates qualitative analysis with quantitative techniques, including Latent Dirichlet Allocation (LDA) topic modeling and agent-based simulations, to identify the mechanisms that drive data value release. The study focuses on the evolving data governance frameworks in China, such as the Data Security Law and the Personal Information Protection Law, and analyzes the role of emerging data markets in cities like Beijing, Shanghai, and Shenzhen. The findings demonstrate that institutional collaboration not only addresses critical challenges—such as data ownership disputes, cross-border data flow restrictions, and the tension between innovation and regulation—but also generates significant socioeconomic impacts. Specifically, coordinated governance accelerates data-driven innovation, enhances industrial productivity, fosters the creation of new business models, and strengthens market competitiveness. This research provides actionable insights for policymakers and industry leaders seeking to design effective data governance strategies that balance economic growth with regulatory compliance and global standards.