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The impact of the digital economy on industrial structure upgrading in resource-based cities: Evidence from China

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  • Zhenqiang Li
  • Qiuyang Zhou
  • Ke Wang

Abstract

The digital economy provides a new path to promote industrial structure upgrading. Using panel data from 2011 to 2020 for 85 resource-based cities in China, this paper empirically investigates the impact of the digital economy on industrial structure upgrading and the primary mechanism. The results show that the digital economy is conducive to promoting industrial structure upgrading in resource-based cities, and innovation is the primary mechanism of action. According to the different stages of resource development, we classify resource-based cities into growth, maturity, decline, and regeneration cities, and we further analyze the heterogeneous influence. In terms of influence degree, the digital economy has a more prominent role in promoting industrial structure upgrading in resource-exhausted cities. In addition, we also found that the closer to the provincial capital city, the more pronounced the promotion of the digital economy to the industrial structure upgrading.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhenqiang Li & Qiuyang Zhou & Ke Wang, 2024. "The impact of the digital economy on industrial structure upgrading in resource-based cities: Evidence from China," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 19(2), pages 1-13, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0298694
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0298694
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Sun, Yajie & Liao, Wen-Chi, 2021. "Resource-Exhausted City Transition to continue industrial development," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 67(C).
    2. Dong-Hyeon Kim & Shu-Chin Lin, 2017. "Natural Resources and Economic Development: New Panel Evidence," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 66(2), pages 363-391, February.
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    1. Li, Chao & Lao, Wenyu & Li, Xiang & Zhang, Yuhan, 2024. "Automated workforce, financial precarities and family consumption: The importance of demand-side policies under the background of automation applications," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 84(C), pages 1287-1308.

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