The Impact of Logistics Industry Clustering on Green Total Factor Productivity: Evidence from China

Yanmiao Cai, Yuge Zhang, Yuki Gong (), Willa Li and Frank Li ()
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Yanmiao Cai: School of Economics and Management, Hunan University of Technology, Zhuzhou 412007, China
Yuge Zhang: College of Economics, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
Yuki Gong: College of Computing, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
Willa Li: College of Computing, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332, USA
Frank Li: College of Economics, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 17, 1-27

Abstract: Although logistics underpins the spatial architecture of supply chains, the causal contribution of logistics industry clustering to green total factor productivity (GTFP) remains under-identified relative to aggregate or manufacturing clustering. This study investigates both the local and spatial spillover effects of logistics industry clustering on green total factor productivity, utilizing panel data from 30 Chinese provinces spanning 2010 to 2023. The empirical results demonstrate that logistics industry clustering significantly enhances green total factor productivity within the local province and generates robust positive spillover effects in adjacent regions. Regional heterogeneity analysis reveals that in the eastern provinces, clustering of the logistics industry bolsters green total factor productivity both locally and regionally. In contrast, in the central region, such clustering only benefits neighboring provinces, while in the western region, its impact is not statistically significant for either local or neighboring green total factor productivity. Temporal heterogeneity analysis further indicates that the positive influence of logistics industry clustering on green total factor productivity has become more pronounced since 2018.Additionally, spatial mediation effect analysis uncovers that improvements in local green total factor productivity stem from logistics industry clustering’s capacity to enhance resource allocation efficiency and foster industrial upgrading. Notably, the spatial spillover effect dissipates entirely beyond a distance of 350 km. These findings establish logistics industry clustering as a high-leverage, cross-boundary tool for aligning regional logistics planning with green objectives, delineating the effective radius of collaboration to internalize externalities and providing practical guidance for developing economies.

Keywords: logistics industry clustering; green total factor productivity; spatial durbin model; spatial mediation model (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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