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15 November 2025, Issue 6 (239) Previous Issue   

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How does Digital Economy Promote the Formation of a Unified National Market -from the Perspective of Efficient Market and Proactive Government HU Ying, LU Xianxiang 2025 (6):  1-10.  Abstract ( 33 )   PDF (1425KB) ( 18 )   The long-standing phenomenon of market segmentation in China presents a major obstacle to the construction of a unified national market. Existing research, guided by traditional frameworks analyzing the causes of market segmentation, explores pathways to build a unified national market but largely overlooks the distinctive market integration effects of the digital economy as a new economic form. From the perspective of efficient market and proactive government, this paper employs data from 265 Chinese cities covering the period from 2011 to 2022 to theoretically analyze and empirically test the relationship between the digital economy and the unified national market, along with its underlying mechanisms. The findings reveal that: First, the digital economy significantly reduces the market segmentation index, indicating its effective role in promoting the formation of a unified national market. Second, heterogeneity analysis shows that the promoting effect of digital economy development on market integration is more pronounced in smaller cities, those with lower administrative ranks, and cities located in central or western regions or at provincial boundaries. Third, market and government serve as crucial mediating variables through which the digital economy advances the construction of a unified national market. The digital economy not only optimizes the development and reform of both the market and government sectors but also fosters the organic integration of efficient market with proactive government. Ultimately, it facilitates the formation of a unified national market through three pathways: market forces, government actions, and market-government collaboration. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Performance Evaluation Transformation, Agricultural New Quality Productivity and Regional Disparities: Evidence from the Cancellation of GDP Appraisals in Counties CHEN Yongzhou, FAN Linjie, DUAN Zhongxian 2025 (6):  11-20.  Abstract ( 19 )   PDF (2328KB) ( 17 )   Existing studies have mostly emphasized the strengthening of rural policy and technology supply for the development of agricultural new quality productivity, but have paid less attention to the key forces of government performance appraisal systems and neglected to explore the root causes of the formation of the urban bias in policy. In this regard, the framework of "incentive direction shift-attention reallocation" is constructed by using the abolition of GDP assessment in counties as a quasi-natural experiment, and combining the county-level data from 2008 to 2022 and the Difference-in-Differences model to examine the relationship between the transformation of performance appraisal and the role of the agricultural new quality productivity. The results of the study show that the transformation of performance appraisal beyond GDP orientation significantly promotes the development of new quality productivity in county agriculture, and that boosting financial expenditure on agriculture and enhancing agricultural entrepreneurial activity are the key mechanisms at play. At the same time, shifting from targeted incentives for economic growth to targeted incentives for agricultural development can better promote the development of Agricultural New Quality Productivity. Further analyses show that the above effects are better in the northern regions, in non-food-producing counties and in regions with strong promotion incentives. In addition, the transformation of the performance appraisal has also helped to alleviate the development gap between counties and narrow the gap between urban and rural areas within counties, contributing to the co-ordinated development. The study embeds a dynamic incentive perspective for agriculture new quality productivity, providing theoretical wisdom and practical inspiration for related fields. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Multidimensional Assessment, Spatio-temporal Evolution and Driving Mechanism of Grain System Resilience in China WANG Li, DING Shasha, ZHOU Qianchen 2025 (6):  21-31.  Abstract ( 27 )   PDF (4072KB) ( 10 )   In view of the limitations of existing research on the resilience of the food system, which mainly focuses on three-dimensional static evaluations, this study innovatively constructs a four-dimensional dynamic evaluation framework encompassing "resistance, adaptation, recovery, and transformation." By integrating the Dagum Gini coefficient method, Kernel density estimation, Markov chains, and a dynamic GMM system, it systematically analyzes the spatiotemporal evolution patterns and driving mechanisms of grain system resilience in China. Key findings reveal: (1) While overall national resilience has improved, significant gradient differentiation exists across regions (Major Production Areas: 0.42>Major Consumption Areas: 0.31>Production-Consumption Balanced Areas: 0.28). Inter-regional disparities, contributing 64.27% to the overall differentiation, emerge as the dominant factor. Spatial proximity effects significantly drive resilience state transitions, highlighting the spatial dependency inherent in resilience dynamics. (2) Severe imbalance characterizes the development of the four resilience dimensions: Resistance (0.290) and Recovery (0.265) are relatively strong, while Transformation capacity (0.148) constitutes a core deficiency, constraining overall resilience levels. (3) Distinct regional characteristics are evident: Major Production Areas exhibit clear comprehensive advantages but decelerating growth momentum; Major Consumption Areas demonstrate weaknesses in resistance and recovery; Balanced Areas show significant deficiencies in adaptation and transformation. (4) Transportation infrastructure and technological advancement are identified as key drivers enhancing resilience. These results provide a precise scientific foundation for formulating differentiated regional policies, optimizing agricultural resource allocation, and building a resilient grain security system. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Can data asset information disclosure empower new productivity? HAN Jun, ZHAO Tiantian, WEI Hao 2025 (6):  32-40.  Abstract ( 21 )   PDF (1343KB) ( 21 )   New quality productivity, as an advanced form of productivity, is the key to promoting high-quality economic development. Scholars have studied the influencing factors of new quality productivity, but there are few studies exploring its impact on new quality productivity from the perspective of data asset information disclosure. Based on this, the article takes A-share companies in Shanghai and Shenzhen from 2015 to 2022 as samples to explore whether data asset information disclosure can empower new quality productivity. Research has shown that disclosure of data asset information significantly promotes new quality productivity. Mechanism analysis found that data asset information disclosure empowers new quality productivity by increasing information transparency and analyst attention. Heterogeneity analysis found that in private enterprises, companies with good readability of annual report text information, executives with overseas backgrounds, high internet penetration rates, strong technological attributes, and samples from eastern regions, data asset information disclosure has a more significant effect on improving new quality productivity. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Digital Technology Innovation Promotes The Cultivation and Development Of New Quality Productive Forces: Empirical Evidence from Digital Patents of Listed Companies QIU Jing, FAN Qinqin 2025 (6):  41-51.  Abstract ( 24 )   PDF (1417KB) ( 19 )   Digital technology innovation provides new momentum for macroeconomic development. However, at the micro-enterprise level, technological innovation may initially struggle to generate economic benefits, giving rise to the "Solow Paradox" of the digital era, which warrants in-depth exploration. Existing research on digital technology innovation primarily focuses on its role in industrial restructuring and mitigating information asymmetry, with limited discussion on the development of new productive forces in enterprises. This study examines the impact of digital technology innovation on the development of new productive forces in enterprises using a sample of Chinese A-share listed companies from 2011 to 2022. The results indicate that digital technology innovation significantly promotes the development of new productive forces in enterprises, a conclusion that remains valid after various robustness and endogeneity tests. Further, by deconstructing the key dimensions of new productive forces, this study establishes an influence mechanism chain between digital technology innovation and the development of new productive forces in enterprises—"promoting digital-physical integration—activating redundant resources—enhancing production efficiency." Heterogeneity analysis reveals that digital technology innovation has a more pronounced effect on new productive forces when the enterprise is located in a non-smart city or belongs to the strategic emerging industries, or when the innovation has greater influence and broader knowledge breadth. This research offers a new interpretative perspective for breaking through the linear model of the traditional relationship between technological innovation and productivity, while also providing valuable insights for further enhancing China's digital technology innovation capabilities and accelerating the development of new productive forces in enterprises. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Real-Digital Integration Enables Firm Innovation: Theoretical Mechanisms and Empirical Evidence LI Tianjian, ZHANG Haotian 2025 (6):  52-62.  Abstract ( 26 )   PDF (1669KB) ( 20 )   The widespread application of digital technology has made the real-digital integration a key strategy for enterprises to enhance their innovation capabilities. The core challenge currently faced by Chinese enterprises in innovation lies in the fragmented application scenarios of digital technology and the dispersed distribution of data elements, which result in low efficiency in the allocation of innovation resources and hinder the improvement of enterprise innovation levels. Although existing research has explored the relationship between real-digital integration and innovation, most studies have focused on the linear transmission logic of traditional production factors. Research that comprehensively reveals how real-digital integration empowers enterprise innovation from a digital enterprise perspective remains relatively scarce. Based on this, the data of Chinese A-share listed companies from 2008 to 2023 are selected to examine the impact of real-digital integration on corporate innovation and its underlying mechanism. The study shows that for every 1-unit increase in the level of real-digital integration, the level of corporate innovation will increase by 2.4%, indicating that real-digital integration has a significant positive promotion effect on corporate innovation. Mechanism analysis shows that real-digital integration enhances enterprise innovation level through two paths: expanding the application scenarios of digital technology and improving the utilization efficiency of data elements. Heterogeneity analysis shows that real-digital integration has a significant positive effect on larger enterprises, enterprises with higher knowledge stock, enterprises with larger market demand, enterprises with higher human capital structure, and enterprises located in regions with higher level of intellectual property protection. In addition, the absorptive capacity of enterprises can strengthen the promotion effect of real-digital integration on innovation. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Community-Based Elderly Home Care for the Elderly and Digital Consumption in Elderly Households JIANG Yuanyuan, WEN Yue, CHEN Rui 2025 (6):  63-70.  Abstract ( 26 )   PDF (1470KB) ( 19 )   As aging and the digital economy advance, seniors' online spending lags far behind, leaving silver-economy potential untapped. Community-based Elderly Home Care Services(CEHCS) offers a novel, diversified care model that can improve later-life quality and unlock senior-market demand. Departing from prior health-focused studies, we exploit CEHCS reform as a quasi-natural experiment and apply DID to 2013–2019 China Household Finance Survey(CHFS) data. The policy markedly raises older households’ e-commerce spending but has no effect on non-elderly households. Impact is strongest where digital infrastructure and logistics are more advanced. Mechanism tests show CEHCS boosts seniors’ digital capacity—narrowing usage gaps, promoting mobile payments and broadening information channels—thereby diversifying consumption and improving older households’ welfare. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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How does Domestic Financial Openness Affect Firms’ Access to credit -A Quasi-natural Experiment of Private Bank Entry in China SHAO Chuanlin, YU Xiaoqi 2025 (6):  71-80.  Abstract ( 18 )   PDF (1440KB) ( 17 )   Under the new circumstances, the internal opening-up of the financial sector holds significant practical importance for solving the financing difficulties of enterprises. While some studies have examined the impact of foreign bank entry on corporate credit acquisition, few have focused on the influence of private bank entry. Therefore, this study employs the pilot cities of private bank entry as a quasi-natural experiment to investigate the impact of the internal opening-up of finance on corporate credit acquisition. The results show that the entry of private banks increases the scale of corporate credit acquisition, with this effect being more pronounced among young firms, small firms, private enterprises, capital-intensive firms, non-tech firms, and enterprises in the central and western regions. Mechanism tests indicate that the entry of private banks influences corporate credit acquisition by enhancing bank competition, reducing financing costs and default probabilities, improving corporate governance, and increasing corporate information transparency. Various robustness tests further confirm the validity of the conclusions. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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The Impact of Digital Finance on the Business Structure of SMEs: Diversification or Specialization? SHI Guifen, SUN Boyang, CHEN Zhizhen 2025 (6):  81-89.  Abstract ( 20 )   PDF (1341KB) ( 15 )   After digital finance alleviates financing constraints for small and medium-sized enterprises(SMEs), whether these enterprises will focus on their core business development or engage in cross-sector operations represents a significant practical issue. Unlike existing studies that primarily emphasize the impact of digitalization on corporate diversification, this research specifically examines SMEs and considers digital finance as a novel approach to easing their funding constraints. Using data from SMEs listed on the A-share market between 2011 and 2023, the study analyzes the influence of digital finance on SMEs' business structure from both diversification and specialization perspectives. Empirical findings indicate that digital finance significantly promotes business diversification among SMEs while inhibiting business specialization. These conclusions remain robust after a series of reliability and endogeneity tests. The effect of digital finance in promoting business diversification is more pronounced in emerging industries and among SMEs with poorer performance. As managerial risk-taking propensity increases, the positive impact of digital finance on business diversification becomes stronger. The underlying mechanisms through which digital finance fosters diversification include alleviating financing constraints, increasing agency costs, and enhancing competition within the financial industry. Furthermore, while the adoption of diversification strategies by SMEs reduces financial performance, it improves capital performance. The research findings extend the understanding of factors influencing SMEs' business structure and provide a new perspective for comprehending the microeconomic consequences of digital finance. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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The Impact of Industrial Robot Application on Gender Income Gap of Floating Population YANG Dingziwei, LIANG Shiyi, LI Xiang 2025 (6):  90-99.  Abstract ( 12 )   PDF (1362KB) ( 14 )   Against the dual backdrop of the continuously rising penetration of industrial robots and the growing scale of the migrant population, the gender income gap in China’s labor market presents new complexities. However, existing literature lacks systematic empirical research on how industrial robots affect the gender income gap for the crucial demographic of migrant workers. Therefore, this paper utilizes data from the International Federation of Robotics (IFR), the China Economic Census (CEC), and the China Migrants Dynamic Survey (CMDS) to investigate the impact of industrial robot application on the gender income gap among the migrant population. Our findings reveal that the application of industrial robots exacerbates the gender income gap among migrants in China’s labor market, and this effect exhibits significant heterogeneity across different economic regions and city characteristics. Further mechanism analysis indicates that industrial robots widen the gender income gap by altering employment opportunities and reshaping job characteristics, a mechanism that is particularly pronounced among the low-skilled group. This study provides empirical evidence for understanding the structural transformations of the labor market in an era of intelligence and offers valuable insights for formulating public policies aimed at narrowing the gender income gap for the migrant population. References | Related Articles | Metrics

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Operational Dilemmas and Adaptive Pathways of the "Administrative Grassroots" -A Case Study of the "Concurrent Post Holder" in a Typical Village of Shaanxi Province JIN Yongzhu, WANG Yujuan 2025 (6):  100-109.  Abstract ( 22 )   PDF (1692KB) ( 11 )   The "concurrent post holder" policy aims to enhance rural governance efficacy by entrusting village cadres with multiple roles. What specific role conflicts do these cadres face? How are these conflicts generated and how can they be resolved? Existing research has not provided clear answers. Acting as the "administrative grassroots," these cadres assume multifaceted roles in policy implementation, such as being perceived as an Omnipotent Illusion, acting as a Resource Broker, serving as a Political Agent, and performing as an Inspection Performer. Based on multiple role theory and through a case study of a typical village in City B, Shaanxi Province, this research investigates the formation mechanisms and adaptive pathways for these role conflicts. The study finds that the conflicts primarily manifest in four types: expectations, interests, time-and-energy, and values. Their roots lie in the deviation of policy implementation from intended goals, the imbalance between political pressure and interest demands, insufficient cadre capacity, and irreconcilable value differences. Consequently, systematic adjustments are required across four dimensions: institutional clarification, task focus, administrative decentralization, and resource optimization. References | Related Articles | Metrics