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Can China’s Digital Economy and Green Economy Achieve Coordinated Development?

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  • Meili Zhang

    (School of Economics and Management, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004, China
    Research Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Yanshan University, Qinhuangdao 066004, China)

  • Shi Yin

    (College of Economics and Management, Hebei Agricultural University, Baoding 071001, China)

Abstract

The coordinated development of the digital economy and green economy is a key issue that needs to be addressed. Based on the statistical data of 30 provincial-level regions in China from 2014 to 2019, this study empirically analyzed whether China’s digital economy and green economy can achieve coordinated development. In this study, a coupling coordination degree model was used to evaluate the degree of coordinated development of the digital economy and green economy in provincial regions of China. A fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis method was adopted to identify the realization path of the coordinated development of the digital economy and green economy. The results show the following: (1) the coordinated development degree of the digital economy and green economy in China shows an upward trend from primary coordination in 2014 to intermediate-level coordination in 2019, with great differences between different regions; (2) there are five paths to achieve coordinated development of the digital economy and green economy, which are divided into two categories (technology–environment dual-drive type, and technology–organization–environment linkage drive type); (3) technological innovation capability and government financial support can substitute for one another under certain conditions to achieve the coordinated development of the digital economy and green economy. These conclusions provide a theoretical basis for countries to formulate policies to promote the coordinated development of their digital economy and green economy.

Suggested Citation

  • Meili Zhang & Shi Yin, 2023. "Can China’s Digital Economy and Green Economy Achieve Coordinated Development?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-25, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:7:p:5666-:d:1105763
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