Does digital economy agglomeration promote green economy efficiency? A spatial spillover and spatial heterogeneity perspective

Hongyang Yu (), Jinchao Wang (), Jiajun Xu () and Binghao Ding ()
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Hongyang Yu: Wuhan University
Jinchao Wang: Wuhan University
Jiajun Xu: Wuhan University
Binghao Ding: Wuhan University

Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, 2025, vol. 27, issue 3, No 68, 7379-7406

Abstract: Abstract The digital economy has been booming in China in recent years and is characterized by spatial agglomeration. However, there is little literature examining the impact of the digital economy from the perspective of agglomeration, especially in the field of environmental economics. This paper explores the spatial spillover effects and spatial heterogeneity of digital economy agglomeration (DIG) on green economic efficiency (GEE). Using provincial panel data of China from 2011 to 2020, this paper constructs a digital economy indicator system and calculates the degree of DIG. Using the static and dynamic spatial Durbin models and geographic and time-weighted regression (GTWR) method, the spatial effects of DIG on GEE and its mechanism were investigated. The results indicate that: (1) the indirect and total effects of DIG on GEE are significantly positive, both in the short and long term, but the direct effects are not significant. (2) DIG influences GEE through green technological innovation and industrial structure upgrading. (3) The effect of DIG on GEE is spatial heterogeneity. The minimum value of the coefficient of DIG is − 0.300 and the maximum value is 0.878. (4) DIG in developed and more foreign-invested provinces has a greater contribution to GEE. These findings provide a reference for the government to plan the layout of the digital economy and achieve high-quality green economic development.

Keywords: Digital economy agglomeration; Green economic efficiency; Spatial Durbin model; GTWR method (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1007/s10668-023-04197-7

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