Empirical research on quality of digital economy and rural revitalization:A case study of panel data from 18 prefecture-level cities in Sichuan province from 2004 to 2022
[Objective]The paper aimed to establish concrete indicators to measure the quality of digital economy and rural revitalization,to explore the impact of digital economy development on rural revitalization,and to provide references for the implementation of the rural revital-ization strategy in Sichuan province.[Method]Based on panel data from 18 prefecture-level cities in Sichuan province from 2004 to 2022,a development index system for rural economic revitalisation was constructed with five specific contents:'industrial prosperity''ecological liva-bility''civilised rural customs''effective governance'and'prosperous living'.A comprehensive framework for digital finance was built from five dimensions including'internet penetration rate''internet-related employment''internet-related output''mobile internet users'and'inclusive development of digital finance'.Through the fixed effects model analysis,the relationship between digital economic develop-ment and rural revitalisation was studied,along with the mechanisms by which digital economy operated,followed by validation of the study's results.[Result](ⅰ)Through benchmark regression analysis,it was found that the digital economy had a positive and beneficial impact on the rural revitalization and development of Sichuan province in the past.It was conducive to promoting the realization of rich rural life,livable e-cology,prosperous industries,civilized rural customs,effective governance,and other aspects.The effective enhancement of the digital econo-my continuously improved the quality of rural revitalization and development in Sichuan province.(ⅱ)The test of intermediary effects showed that in the process of the digital economy affecting the quality of rural revitalization in Sichuan province in the past,further impact on the quality of rural revitalization was generated through promoting industrial structure upgrading.Therefore,industrial structure upgrading was an important pathway through which the digital economy affected the quality of rural revitalization in Sichuan province.(ⅲ)After conducting ro-bustness tests through instrumental variable methods,excluding special samples,mitigating the influences of exogenous shocks in the past,the empirical results of this study still remained significant.[Conclusion]The level of development of the digital economy has significant impor-tance for the quality of rural revitalization in Sichuan province.It has influenced the upgrading of industrial structure and can further promote the development of rural revitalization through the advancement of industrial structure.It is recommended to focus on the digitization of key agricultural sectors,deep integration of digitalization with industries,establishment of agricultural big data platforms,and leveraging efficient advantages to promote the construction of digital agriculture.This will facilitate the better development of the digital economy in Sichuan prov-ince and further enhance the quality of rural revitalization.
Digital economyRural revitalizationIndustrial structureFixed effects modelMediation model
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