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Digital economy, innovation factor allocation and industrial structure transformation—A case study of the Yangtze River Delta city cluster in China

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  • Xinfeng Chang
  • Zihe Yang
  • Abdullah

Abstract

The attainment of regional high-quality development necessitates the critical role of the digital economy in facilitating the transformation of industrial structures. This study intends to investigate the effect of the digital economy on industrial structure transformation from the perspective of innovation factor allocation using a panel dataset of 41 cities in the Yangtze River Delta region for the period from 2011 to 2020. This paper considers four dimensions to measure the level of industrial structure transformation i.e. industrial structure servitization, industrial structure upgradation, service industry structure upgradation and industrial interaction level. The results of the study suggest that the digital economy can significantly improve industrial structure transformation. The results remain consistent even after several robustness checks. Further, the analysis of the mechanism of action shows that the digital economy can promote industrial structure transformation by optimizing the innovation factor allocation. The study provides several policy implications for the digital economy and its role in the promotion of industrial structure transformation.

Suggested Citation

  • Xinfeng Chang & Zihe Yang & Abdullah, 2024. "Digital economy, innovation factor allocation and industrial structure transformation—A case study of the Yangtze River Delta city cluster in China," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 19(4), pages 1-16, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0300788
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0300788
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Jianhua Zhu & Taiwen Feng & Ying Lu & Wenbo Jiang, 2024. "Using blockchain or not? A focal firm's blockchain strategy in the context of carbon emission reduction technology innovation," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(4), pages 3505-3531, May.
    2. Gabriel, Luciano Ferreira & de Santana Ribeiro, Luiz Carlos, 2019. "Economic growth and manufacturing: An analysis using Panel VAR and intersectoral linkages," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 49(C), pages 43-61.
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    Cited by:

    1. Meiling Wu & Rongguang Zhang & Wei Liu, 2026. "Spatial and Temporal Evolution of Industrial Structure in Resource-based Regions: a Study Based On Data From 37 Cities in Western China," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 17(2), pages 4036-4065, April.
    2. Liu, Qunyue & Chen, Taoyu & Zhang, Ni & Lin, Zhiqian & Ye, Zubin & Jiang, Kunneng & Gao, Yaling & Guo, Yourui & Weng, Aifang, 2025. "Assessing the sustainable development potential of rooftop agrivoltaics: A case study of the Yangtze River Delta urban agglomeration," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 320(C).

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