Zhou Mingxi, Guo Fuyou
College of Geography and Tourism, Qufu Normal University, Rizhao, 276800, Shandong, China.
Institute of Yellow River Ecology, Qufu Normal University, Qufu, 273100, Shandong, China.
Sci Rep. 2024 Oct 4;14(1):23086. doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-72257-7.
The digital economy has emerged as a new trend in economic development and has profoundly influenced the process of achieving common prosperity. However, current research on the correlation between the digital economy and common prosperity from the perspective of a river basin still needs to be strengthened. Based on this, the present study first theoretically elaborates the conceptual meanings of "digital economy" and "common prosperity", as well as the mechanism by which the digital economy empowers common prosperity. Subsequently, a scientifically-constructed performance evaluation index system for the digital economy and common prosperity is established. Considering the Yellow River Basin as an empirical case study area, this study investigates the mechanism and spatial spillover effects of the digital economy in empowering common prosperity from 2005 to 2020. The research findings reveal that: (1) The Yellow River Basin exhibits a basin characteristic with downstream > midstream > upstream areas regarding the level of common prosperity and digital economy. It indicates that a distinct spatial correlation exists between the two factors. However, the ongoing decrease in both high-level and very high-level areas reflects the lengthy and challenging journey of enhancing the quality and efficiency of the digital economy in empowering common prosperity. (2) The digital economy not only directly impacts common prosperity, but also fosters its development through spatial spillover effects. Among the control factors, informatization and housing levels have a major stimulating effect. (3) There exists a clear regional heterogeneity in how the digital economy affects common prosperity in the Yellow River Basin. Specifically, common prosperity of downstream cities is significantly impacted by the digital economy. The spatial spillover effects of the digital economy on common prosperity exhibit a pronounced "neighborhood as a moat" characteristic. (4) The digital economy facilitates the achievement of shared prosperity through the implementation of mechanisms centered on sharing, affluence, and sustainability. These research findings illuminate the empowering mechanisms and spatial spillover pathways of the digital economy in promoting shared prosperity, aligning with national strategies for ecological conservation and high-quality development in the Yellow River Basin.
数字经济已成为经济发展的新趋势，并对实现共同富裕的进程产生了深远影响。然而，目前从流域视角对数字经济与共同富裕相关性的研究仍有待加强。基于此，本研究首先从理论上阐述了“数字经济”和“共同富裕”的概念内涵，以及数字经济赋能共同富裕的机制。随后，构建了科学的数字经济与共同富裕绩效评价指标体系。以黄河流域为实证案例研究区域，本研究考察了2005年至2020年数字经济赋能共同富裕的机制及空间溢出效应。研究结果表明：（1）黄河流域在共同富裕水平和数字经济水平方面呈现出下游＞中游＞上游的流域特征。这表明这两个因素之间存在明显的空间相关性。然而，高水平和极高水平区域的持续减少反映了提高数字经济赋能共同富裕的质量和效率的漫长而具有挑战性的历程。（2）数字经济不仅直接影响共同富裕，还通过空间溢出效应促进其发展。在控制因素中，信息化水平和住房水平具有主要的促进作用。（3）黄河流域数字经济对共同富裕的影响存在明显的区域异质性。具体而言，下游城市的共同富裕受到数字经济的显著影响。数字经济对共同富裕的空间溢出效应呈现出明显的“以邻为壑”特征。（4）数字经济通过实施以共享、富裕和可持续为核心的机制，促进了共同富裕的实现。这些研究结果揭示了数字经济在促进共同富裕中的赋能机制和空间溢出路径，符合黄河流域生态保护和高质量发展的国家战略。
