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Digital literacy and farmers’ entrepreneurial behavior—Empirical analysis based on CHFS2019 micro data

Author

Listed:
  • Qingyun Bai
  • Haipeng Chen
  • Jie Zhou
  • Guohong Li
  • Dundang Zang
  • Yaya Sow
  • Qianling Shen

Abstract

Farmers’ entrepreneurship is an important engine to comprehensively help promote rural revitalization. Based on data from the China Household Finance Survey (CHFS2019), this paper empirically examines the effect of digital literacy on farmers’ entrepreneurial behavior using the Probit model and instrumental variable method; and examines the mediating role of health status in this effect using the mediation effect model, combined with the Sobel and Bootstrap tests. The results of the study showed that (1) digital literacy positively influenced farmers’ entrepreneurial behavior at the 1% significant level, and this positive influence showed some differences across gender and age; (2) health status played a mediating effect in the positive influence of digital literacy on farmers’ entrepreneurial behavior. Accordingly, policy recommendations are made to foster farmers’ digital literacy, encourage farmers’ entrepreneurship, and ensure farmers’ "digital health" services.

Suggested Citation

  • Qingyun Bai & Haipeng Chen & Jie Zhou & Guohong Li & Dundang Zang & Yaya Sow & Qianling Shen, 2023. "Digital literacy and farmers’ entrepreneurial behavior—Empirical analysis based on CHFS2019 micro data," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 18(7), pages 1-19, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0288245
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0288245
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gerard Mcelwee, 2006. "Farmers As Entrepreneurs: Developing Competitive Skills," Journal of Developmental Entrepreneurship (JDE), World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd., vol. 11(03), pages 187-206.
    2. Sarah Fitz-Koch & Mattias Nordqvist & Sara Carter & Erik Hunter, 2018. "Entrepreneurship in the Agricultural Sector: A Literature Review and Future Research Opportunities," Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, , vol. 42(1), pages 129-166, January.
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    4. Komppula, Raija, 2014. "The role of individual entrepreneurs in the development of competitiveness for a rural tourism destination – A case study," Tourism Management, Elsevier, vol. 40(C), pages 361-371.
    5. Bannor, Richard Kwasi & Ros-Tonen, Mirjam A.F. & Mensah, Princess Ophelia & Derkyi, Mercy & Nassah, Valerie Fumey, 2021. "Entrepreneurial behaviour among non-timber forest product-growing farmers in Ghana: An analysis in support of a reforestation policy," Forest Policy and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 122(C).
    6. David Audretsch & Diana Heger & Tobias Veith, 2015. "Infrastructure and entrepreneurship," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 44(2), pages 219-230, February.
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    Cited by:

    1. Xiujuan Cui & Jieyu Yang & Ziqian Fan & Yongqiang Wang, 2025. "Does the Improvement of Farmers’ Digital Literacy Restrain Their Opportunistic Behavior When They Choose Pest Control Methods in Certified Agro-Products?," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 15(14), pages 1-28, July.
    2. Yongbiao Duan & Xinyu Dong, 2025. "Does Digital Literacy Matter for E-Government Usage Behavior? An Empirical Analysis Based on Data from Rural Women in China," SAGE Open, , vol. 15(3), pages 21582440251, September.
    3. Xinbo Sun & Magaji Abdullahi Usman, 2024. "Pixels to Paychecks: Understanding The Determinant of Latent Entrepreneurial Transition in Digital Context," SAGE Open, , vol. 14(4), pages 21582440241, October.
    4. Feiyan Han & Herui Wang & Shuang Wu, 2026. "Exploring Mechanisms in Entrepreneurial Intention and Digital Entrepreneurial Behavior: The Moderating Effect of Psychological Resilience and Digital Literacy," SAGE Open, , vol. 16(1), pages 21582440251, January.

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