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Does Digitalization Mean Equality? Digital Finance and Balanced Development Between Counties

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  • Chang Gan

    (School of Management, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430048, China)

  • Xinying Sun

    (School of Management, Wuhan Polytechnic University, Wuhan 430048, China)

  • Mihai Voda

    (Faculty of Geography, Dimitrie Cantemir University, 540545 Targu Mures, Romania)

  • Kai Wang

    (College of Tourism, Hunan Normal University, Changsha 410081, China)

Abstract

Digitalization has been remodeling the pattern of economic development. Digital finance, the important manifestation of digitalization in this financial field, has profound effect on reducing inequalities (Sustainable Development Goal 10). With data from 2014 to 2022 across 71 counties in the Wuling Mountain Area, our research reveals the non-linear role of digital finance in the balanced development between counties. Moreover, it explores the moderating effects of tourism development and educational level in reshaping this impact. It is found that there is a U-shaped relationship between digital finance and balanced development between counties. With the improvement of government support, the positive effect of digital finance becomes positive and stronger. We demonstrate that tourism development and educational level exert a negative moderating effect on the association between digital finance and balanced development between counties. This research has far-reaching implications for the policy of coordinated development between regions in China.

Suggested Citation

  • Chang Gan & Xinying Sun & Mihai Voda & Kai Wang, 2025. "Does Digitalization Mean Equality? Digital Finance and Balanced Development Between Counties," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-20, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:18:p:8276-:d:1749679
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