Digital Economy and Regional Development: Consensus, Controversies, and Prospects — A Case Study of the Yangtze River Delta Region
Main Article Content
Keywords
digital economy, Yangtze River Delta, spatial spillover effect, regional coordinated development
Abstract
The digital economy has increasingly shaped regional development in China, and the Yangtze River Delta (YRD) is often regarded as one of its most representative regions. This paper reviews recent studies on the regional impacts of the digital economy in the YRD, with particular attention to productivity, industrial upgrading, SME development, green transformation, and spatial interactions. Existing research generally suggests that the expansion of the digital economy has contributed to higher innovation efficiency and the upgrading of manufacturing industries, while also easing financing constraints for small and medium-sized enterprises and encouraging green technological innovation. At the same time, the literature does not reach full agreement on several issues. In particular, studies of spatial effects point to both positive spillover effects and possible siphon effects that may further widen regional disparities. From a methodological perspective, current studies mainly rely on spatial econometric approaches, two-way fixed effects models, threshold models, and mediation analysis. Research on SME digital transformation, however, still tends to remain descriptive and lacks more systematic empirical investigation. Future studies could pay greater attention to the mechanisms behind siphon effects, make wider use of city- and county-level data, and further connect empirical findings with broader theoretical discussions. More work is also needed on issues related to transparency and governance in the digital economy. Overall, the paper aims to contribute to ongoing discussions of digital economy development and regional integration in the Yangtze River Delta.
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