Empirical Analysis of Internet Finance’s Promotion of Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development: Mediating Effect Based on Innovation and Entrepreneurship Willingness

Jing Zhao, Kimmee Chong and Meixia Jiang ()
Additional contact information
Jing Zhao: Anhui Technical College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering
Kimmee Chong: Anhui Technical College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering
Meixia Jiang: Anhui Technical College of Mechanical and Electrical Engineering

Journal of the Knowledge Economy, 2025, vol. 16, issue 1, No 114, 3265-3285

Abstract: Abstract In the context of rapid digital transformation and economic growth, internet finance has emerged as a significant supporter of innovation and entrepreneurship. This research examines the impact of internet finance on the development of these areas and investigates the mediating role of individuals’ willingness to innovate and engage in entrepreneurial activities. Using a quantitative approach, the study analyzes data from 41 cities in China’s Yangtze River Delta from 2014 to 2021, applying fixed effect and mediating effect models to assess the influence from various perspectives. Findings indicate that internet finance substantially boosts innovation and entrepreneurship, with a notably stronger effect in small and medium-sized cities. The willingness to innovate and pursue entrepreneurship significantly mediates this relationship, highlighting a significant moderating role. Consequently, internet finance indirectly stimulates innovation and entrepreneurship by enhancing individuals’ willingness to innovate. This study underscores the need for governments and businesses to focus on the development of internet finance and actively promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship to support socio-economic progress. It offers fresh insights for policymaking in the realm of internet finance, revealing its distinct roles in fostering regional economic innovation.

Keywords: The Yangtze River Delta region of China; Internet finance; Innovation and entrepreneurship development; Innovation and entrepreneurship willingness; Mediation effect (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s13132-024-01925-w Abstract (text/html)
Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:jknowl:v:16:y:2025:i:1:d:10.1007_s13132-024-01925-w

Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
http://www.springer.com/economics/journal/13132

DOI: 10.1007/s13132-024-01925-w

Access Statistics for this article

Journal of the Knowledge Economy is currently edited by Elias G. Carayannis

More articles in Journal of the Knowledge Economy from Springer, Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET)
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Sonal Shukla () and Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing ().