The Impact of Digital Trade Barriers on Technological Innovation Efficiency and Sustainable Development

The global digitization trend provides a favorable development environment for the efficient acquisition of knowledge and technology. However, restrictions imposed by countries on digital trade have hindered this trend. This study is based on 60 sample countries to study the impact of the digital trade barrier (DTB) on the technology innovation efficiency (TIE) of each country and the pathways from 2014 to 2020. Research finds that DTB significantly inhibits TIE. Among the five different policy fields that form DTB, Infrastructure and Connecting DTB and Other DTB have the greatest negative impact on TIE. A mechanism analysis found that DTB increases the difficulty of acquiring knowledge spillover and the high cost of research and development, leading to the mismatch and low efficiency of innovation resources, ultimately leading to a reduction in technological innovation efficiency in various countries. Participating in international technological innovation networks and improving technological innovation capabilities have a moderating effect on the aforementioned negative impacts that is beneficial for the sustainable development of national technological innovation. Heterogeneity tests indicate that countries with weaker innovation capabilities, low- and middle-income countries, and countries that have not joined the OECD have a more significant negative impact. This study serves as an important reference for the government to adjust digital trade policies and guide the effective use of external resources for sustainable and efficient technological innovation.