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The impact of higher education on high quality economic development in China: A digital perspective

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  • Bao Bing

Abstract

In the context of China’s new stage of economic development, this study examines the role of higher education in China’s high quality economic development (HQED) strategy from a digital perspective. Using panel data of 30 Chinese provinces (municipalities and autonomous regions) collected from 2012–2020, comprehensive evaluations of the level of higher education and HQED are conducted through the entropy method, and a regression analysis is carried out with the fixed effect model. The results show that the level of higher education is positively associated with HQED and is able to achieve this effect through mechanisms that actively promote digital innovation and development. Further, the structure and quality of higher education plays a greater part in facilitating digital development than the scale and quantity. The heterogeneity analysis demonstrates that the impact of higher education on HQED is more significant in the eastern region of China than in the western region. An increase in the proportion of fiscal expenditure to GDP diminishes the impact of higher education on HQED, while an improvement in digital governance level enhances its influence.

Suggested Citation

  • Bao Bing, 2023. "The impact of higher education on high quality economic development in China: A digital perspective," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 18(8), pages 1-17, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0289817
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0289817
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Ma, Lianfeng & Gan, Yufei & Huang, Ping, 2025. "Higher education investment, human capital, and high-quality economic development," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 71(C).
    2. Congying Ma & Hongchao Wu & Xiuhong Li, 2023. "Spatial spillover of local general higher education expenditures on sustainable regional economic growth: A spatial econometric analysis," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 18(11), pages 1-18, November.
    3. Zhong, Kaijun & Lei, Yalin & Zhao, Jun & Jiang, Yong, 2025. "How to enhance China's total-factor energy efficiency via digital-real economy integration: New evidence from dynamic QCA analysis," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 148(C).
    4. Youlai Zeng & Lilan Zhu & Qianqian Kang & Yun Lei, 2025. "The Expansion of Higher Education Scale in Northeast China and the Pursuit of Common Prosperity: The Dual Moderating Effects of Technological Innovation and Educational Quality," SAGE Open, , vol. 15(3), pages 21582440251, September.
    5. Zhang, Yulai & Hainan, Liu & Feng, Fangfang & Wu, Xuezhou, 2025. "Digital economy, education, human capital and urban–rural income disparity," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 71(C).

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