Dynamic Coupling Trajectory and Spatial-Temporal Characteristics of High-Quality Economic Development and the Digital Economy

Abstract

This paper takes China’s 2014–2019 provincial data as the observation sample to explore the dynamic coupling law of the digital economy and high-quality economic development. First, using the coupling coordination model, it is found that the coupling coordination degree of the digital economy and high-quality economic growth is on an upward trend, and the coupling coordination degree in the eastern region is higher than that in other regions; then, using Markov chain algorithm, it is found that the coupling coordination degree in the east of region achieves a two-level leap of “antagonism stage-running-in stage-coordination stage”, while the central and western regions accomplish a single level of “antagonism stage-running-in stage” leap. Finally, using the Dagum Gini coefficient decomposition method, it was found that the mean values of inter-regional, intra-regional, and supervariate density differences in coupling coordination contributed 67.60%, 24.03%, and 8.36% to the overall differences, respectively, with highly moderate fluctuations. The general, inter-regional and intra-regional differences all show a decreasing trend, but there is heterogeneity in their corresponding variation characteristics. This paper provides substantial empirical evidence for exploring the inherent laws and provides an essential guarantee for China’s regional economy’s comprehensive, coordinated, and sustainable development.