Can the Construction of Cross-Border E-Commerce Comprehensive Pilot Zones Narrow the Regional Digital and Real Economy Integra-tion Gap:A Causal Inference Based on Double Machine Learning
Amid the backdrop of the booming global internet economy,the rapid rise of cross-border e-commerce has significantly influenced the coordina-ted development of regional economies in China.To thoroughly explore the relationship between the two,panel data from 282 prefecture-level cities in China from 2010 to 2021 was selected,and a double machine learning model was established to examine the impact and mechanisms of cross-bor-der e-commerce comprehensive pilot zones on the regional digital and real economy integration gap.The study found that pilot zones have inhibited the further expansion of the regional digital and real economy integration gap,primarily through three pathways:bridging the digital divide,promo-ting industrial structure upgrades,and increasing entrepreneurial activity.Heterogeneity tests revealed that pilot zones significantly narrow the inte-gration gap in non-resource cities,non-old industrial base cities,cities with strict environmental regulations,and cities with severe integration im-balances.Findings further indicate that pilot zones not only reduce the overall national digital and real economy integration gap but also narrows the gap within regions,including inter-provincial,eastern-central-western,and northern-southern areas.These research conclusions contribute to narro-wing the regional digital and real economy integration gap from the perspective of cross-border e-commerce comprehensive pilot zones,thereby provi-ding theoretical support and policy recommendations for promoting the coordinated development of regional economies in China.
万方数据
维普
