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Public Data Elements and Enterprise Digital Transformation: A Quasi-Natural Experiment Based on Open Government Data Platforms for Sustainable Urban Planning

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  • Jie Wang

    (Economics School, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China)

  • Xiaohui Zhou

    (Economics School, Shandong Technology and Business University, Yantai 264005, China)

  • Yunning Ma

    (Smart Governance Program, Inha University, Incheon 22221, Republic of Korea)

  • Yongrok Choi

    (Department of International Trade, Inha University, Incheon 22221, Republic of Korea)

Abstract

In the era of digital economy, the open sharing of public data elements has become a key engine driving the digital transformation of enterprises. This article is based on a quasi-natural experiment using government data platforms launched from 2011 to 2022, and it uses the asymptotic difference-in-differences method to empirically test the mechanism and impact of public data elements on enterprise digital transformation. It has been discovered that making data items publicly available dramatically increases the degree of enterprise digital transformation. According to mechanism analysis, corporate digital transformation is primarily impacted by releasing public data elements through two channels: information resource sharing and removing financial restraints. According to heterogeneity analysis, public data elements significantly impact enterprise digital transformation when they are located in regions with high data openness quality, when they are located in regions with substantial levels of digital economic vitality, and when they are available during businesses’ growth and maturity stages. The enabling influence of public data elements on organizational digital transformation was positively mitigated via a fully functional digital infrastructure and cutting-edge digital products. This study has confirmed the driving value of the market-oriented allocation of data elements in the digital transformation of enterprises, providing a theoretical basis for improving the government’s data openness system and unleashing the productivity of data elements. It also provides practical inspiration for enterprises to seize digital opportunities.

Suggested Citation

  • Jie Wang & Xiaohui Zhou & Yunning Ma & Yongrok Choi, 2025. "Public Data Elements and Enterprise Digital Transformation: A Quasi-Natural Experiment Based on Open Government Data Platforms for Sustainable Urban Planning," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(10), pages 1-32, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:10:p:4676-:d:1659577
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