How do the digital economy and openness boost green productivity?

This study employs panel data from China's 31 provincial-level regions (2010-2022) to investigate the impact of the digital economy (DE) and openness on green total factor productivity (GTFP). Empirical results demonstrate that both DE development and economic openness significantly enhance regional GTFP, with findings robust to endogeneity treatments and sensitivity analyses. Mechanism analysis reveals that green technology innovation (GTI) serves as a partial mediator between DE and GTFP, while industrial structure upgrading positively moderates this relationship. Regional heterogeneity analysis indicates the promoting effect of DE on GTFP is strongest in eastern China, moderate in central regions, and statistically insignificant in western areas, highlighting the role of regional development disparities. These findings provide theoretical and policy insights for achieving green transformation through digital empowerment and open policies in China. This paper has deeply revealed the positive impact mechanisms of the DE and openness on regional GTFP, filling research gaps in related fields. Meanwhile, it has verified the crucial moderating role of industrial structure, which is conducive to formulating targeted industrial policies. Additionally, it has analyzed the differences in the impact of the DE on different regions, providing important theoretical foundations for the development of differentiated regional strategies.

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