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How does digital-real integration ignite urban entrepreneurship: Unpacking innovation's complex mediation role

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  • Kang, Shikang
  • Shang, Yu

Abstract

The deep integration of the digital and real economies is an important way to improve industrial competitiveness, promote urban entrepreneurship, and enhance economic vitality. The configuration perspective and complexity relationship are introduced into the mediation model, and mixed QCA and regression analysis methods are used to systematically test the complex mediation relationship between digital-real integration (DRI), innovation factor allocation (IFA), and urban entrepreneurial vitality (UEV). It is found that DRI can significantly promote UEV. The configuration analysis shows that there are four linkage paths for DRI to drive high-IFA: digital application-driven real industry type and digital infrastructure-driven real industry type (emphasizing real economy); digital technology-driven data circulation type and digital-real integration-driven multi-development type (emphasizing digital economy). The contribution of digital infrastructure construction and digital application environment to allocating innovation factors is more significant, with an impact ratio of 22 % and 20 % respectively. Mechanism analysis shows that DRI optimizes the IFA and stimulates UEV by reducing the degree of innovation factor mismatch. The findings of this study can help Chinese cities promote DRI, improve the efficiency of IFA, and provide policy insights for local governments to stimulate UEV.

Suggested Citation

  • Kang, Shikang & Shang, Yu, 2026. "How does digital-real integration ignite urban entrepreneurship: Unpacking innovation's complex mediation role," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:teinso:v:84:y:2026:i:c:s0160791x25002969
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techsoc.2025.103106
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