Industrial Structure Research Articles

Technological Change and Entrepreneurial Activities: Evidence from China

This study is among the first to examine the impacts of technological change on entrepreneurial activities. Using new registered enterprises data and industrial robot data from 2010 to 2018, we find that robot adoption is broadly negatively associated with regional entrepreneurial activities. However, our analysis reveals a more nuanced understanding, in which robot adoption boosts high-quality entrepreneurial activities in regions, specifically those in technology-based industries, but reduces low-quality entrepreneurial activities. We also find that a favorable labor allocation environment and sufficient labor resources, as well as abundant high-skilled labor resources, can mitigate the negative impact. Credit constraints and the upgrading of industrial structures are effective in mitigating the crowding-out effect. In cities with higher unemployment risks, the negative effect is attenuated. The extent of the negative effect varies depending on the prevailing macroeconomic conditions, and the hukou reform helps to mitigate the negative impact. In addition, robot adoption has a significant spatial spillover effect between adjacent cities. These findings shed light on the effects of industrial robot adoption on local entrepreneurial activities, as well as the role of technological change in fostering entrepreneurial activities. Our findings suggest that it is crucial to grasp the strategic opportunities embedded in technological change to spur entrepreneurship.

The smarter the cleaner: Evaluating the impact of artificial intelligence on haze pollution

This paper innovatively evaluates the level of artificial intelligence (AI) by counting AI firms and employs a two-way fixed-effects model to analyze the impact of AI on haze pollution (HP), using panel data of 264 Chinese cities from 2006 and 2021. It is found that AI is an effective means to reduce urban HP, and that for every 1 % increase in the number of urban AI firms, PM 2.5 is reduced by about 2.22 %. Regarding mechanisms, AI mainly reduces urban HP through two ways: stimulating technology innovation and promoting industrial structure upgrading. Heterogeneity tests show that the haze reduction effect of AI varies due to urban HP level, urban location and urban characteristics, and is more pronounced in cities with high HP, as well as in western cities, northern cities, cities of high administrative levels, and resource-based cities. Our findings provide new insights for policy makers to better utilize AI technology to reduce HP.

Does urban shrinkage impact energy efficiency?: Evidence from Chinese Counties

Some cities in China are facing challenges due to population loss while also attempting to address energy conservation and emissions reduction. Although urban shrinkage can relieve pressure from energy consumption demands, such as water, electricity and gas, does it improve urban energy efficiency? This study attempts to answer this question. Based on Point of Interest (POI) big data and Global Human Settlement Layer (GHSL) raster data, this study identifies urban shrinkage from the coupling perspective of administrative and economic boundaries. It also examines the impact of urban shrinkage on energy efficiency. The results suggest that Chinese counties’ overall energy efficiency is experiencing a four-stage "decline-rise-decline-rise" trend, and the urban shrinkage of Chinese counties exists in three major areas: the Northeast, the Southwest, and the Centre. Compared to non-shrinking cities, urban shrinkage has a significant negative impact on improving energy efficiency. This impact exhibits significant heterogeneity. Specifically, compared with mature resource cities and cities in Western China, regenerative cities, non-resource cities and cities in Central China have less impact on energy efficiency. In addition, urban shrinkage may impede energy efficiency improvement by hindering industrial structure transformation and upgrading, energy-saving technology innovation, and financial development. Clarifying the relationship between urban shrinkage and energy efficiency is helpful for shrinking cities to change their development strategies, which is critical for sustainable development.

Promotion or Inhibition? Understanding the Impact of Public Environmental Concerns on Energy Transition in China

It is the theme of today to achieve the “dual carbon target” and promote sustainable development through energy transition (ET). Considering the importance of public environmental concern (PEC) in social operation, this study examines the impact of PEC on ET using panel data of Chinese cities spanning from 2011 to 2019 and a fixed-effects model. A proxy variable for PEC is constructed using the Baidu search index of 25 specific environmental keywords. The results of our study suggest that PEC can facilitate ET and that the effects are heterogeneous, i.e., PEC is more likely to promote ET in central and western China. Investigations of the mechanism test show that PEC mainly facilitates ET by promoting industry structure upgrade and green technology innovation. Furthermore, the results indicated that government environmental concerns (GECs) have a moderating effect on the PEC–ET nexus. The threshold analysis reveals that PEC can have a positive effect only in areas where GEC is relatively low, indicating that PEC can have a positive impact on ET when GEC is absent and acts as a complement to formal environmental regulation. These results provide important insights into strategies for advancing sustainable development and promoting ET in the aspect of government regulation, particularly focusing on synergies between the government, industry, corporate, and the public.

Does advanced human capital structure improve carbon emission performance in China? Empirical research from a spatial spillover perspective

Facilitating coordination between economic growth and carbon mitigation is vital for the sustainability of human society. Identifying the driving factors of Carbon emission performance (CEP) is crucial for its improvement. Nevertheless, empirical research on the relationship between advanced human capital structure (AHCS) and CEP remains scarce. This study analyzes the impact of AHCS on CEP utilizing a dataset covering 30 Chinese provinces from 2006 to 2021. First, we construct a global epsilon-based measure (EBM) model with undesired output to accurately measure the multi-period CEP for Chinese provinces. Next, we evaluate the level of AHCS from the perspective of dynamic evolution. Subsequently, a spatial Durbin model (SDM) is employed to examine the spatial spillover effects of AHCS on CEP. The results illustrate that CEP exhibits significant positive spatial spillover effects across provinces. Additionally, AHCS has a direct and significant positive impact on local CEP and can indirectly enhance CEP in neighboring regions through spillover effects, although the impact varies across different regions. The impact mechanism analysis indicates that AHCS enhances CEP via technological advancement, industrial structure upgrading (ISU), and energy efficiency improvement, despite the asymmetric effects observed between local and neighboring provinces. Therefore, shaping a favorable educational environment to optimize the human capital structure is critical for the improvement of CEP. In addition, promoting resource sharing and technology exchange through regional cooperation is essential for China’s low-carbon transition development.

Emissions Reduction Effects and Carbon Leakage Risks of Carbon Emissions Trading Policy: An Empirical Study Based on the Spatial Durbin Model

China’s carbon emissions trading policy represents a significant institutional innovation designed to advance the country’s economic and social development towards sustainability and low-carbon growth. This study investigates the effects of China’s carbon emissions trading policy by employing the difference-in-differences model and spatial Durbin model, using provincial panel data spanning from 2005 to 2020. We find that the carbon emissions trading policy can inhibit per capita carbon emissions in the pilot areas. This work is primarily driven by green technological innovation and the upgrade of industrial structure. Furthermore, the carbon emissions trading policy exhibits a positive spatial spillover effect, inhibits per capita carbon emissions in the areas adjacent to the pilot through demonstration effect and competition effect, and does not cause carbon leakage. These findings reveal the policy’s effectiveness in emissions reduction, and may be useful reference for promoting sustainable economic and social development. This is of great practical significance for exploring how to optimize environmental governance measures, avoid carbon leakage, and achieve balance and fairness in responsibilities in achieving low-carbon sustainable development. Our study proposes policy recommendations for synergizing the national trading market in China.

Global Growth Strategy of Netflix as a Digital Media Contents Platform: A Focus on Industry Structure Analysis

Global Growth Strategy of Netflix as a Digital Media Contents Platform: A Focus on Industry Structure Analysis

FDI Impact on China's Sectoral Performance: A Panel Cointegration and Causality Analysis

This study provides a thorough examine the influence of FDI inflows and outflows on China's economic growth across three major sectors. Using panel data from 1997 to 2022 in China, it utilizes tests for unit roots and cointegration to investigate the enduring connection between FDI and economic growth. The research results validate the existence of a long-standing cointegration relationship between FDI and economic expansion. Additionally, this research employs the Granger causality test to ascertain the direction of causality between FDI and economic growth. The study reveals a two-way causality between foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows and overall economic growth, which supports the hypothesis of feedback causality. Additionally, there exists a one-way causality originating from FDI inflows across various sectors, suggesting that growth attracts FDI. The government should encourage foreign investment to enhance the industrial structure and boost economic growth.

Unlocking the Power of Economic Agglomeration: How Digital Finance Enhances Urban Land Use Efficiency Through Innovation Ability and Rationalization of Industrial Structure in China

Unlocking the Power of Economic Agglomeration: How Digital Finance Enhances Urban Land Use Efficiency Through Innovation Ability and Rationalization of Industrial Structure in China

Systematic Exploration of the Green Transformation Path of Liaoning's Industrial Structure Driven by Cross-Border E-Commerce

Driven by globalization and digitalization, cross-border e-commerce has become an important force to promote the optimization and upgrading of economic structure. Taking Liaoning as an example, this paper explores how to promote the transformation of industrial structure to a green and sustainable direction through the development of cross-border e-commerce. This paper analyzes the current situation of Liaoning's industrial structure, points out the existing problems and challenges, and puts forward a green transformation strategy based on cross-border e-commerce.

Analysis of the Structure of the Pork Trade Market in the Traditional Market in Manggarai Area, East Nusa Tenggara Province

This research was conducted based on the consideration that meat is a commodity that is always needed by the community to meet their nutritional needs. This study aims to determine the influence between pork price variables and determine the market structure of the traditional pork trade industry in Manggarai district. This research took place from January to March 2024 at the Inpres Market and Puni Market. This study was quantitative descriptive and interviewed 49 respondents and continued with elasticity tests, market share, Herfindahl-Hirsrchman Index and Relative Deviation Intercepts. The results of the study show that the structure of the pork trade market in the traditional market of Ruteng City, Manggarai Regency, East Nusa Tenggara Province is included in the monopolistic competition market. Every pork trading business in Ruteng City produces similar goods but has differences in several aspects, namely service, performance and other factors. The policy taken by pork traders in the traditional market of Ruteng City is a non-price policy. These non-price policies include promotion policies, product policies, service policies and family policies. The results of the research on the estimation of the structure of the pork trade market can be concluded that the structure of the pork trade market is classified as a monopolistic competition market because every pork trading business in the city produces similar goods but has differences in several aspects, namely service, performance and other factors.

Research on the contribution of technological innovation efficiency and internal structure optimization of charging pile industry: A case study of China

In the context of resource scarcity and environmental protection, the new energy industry has garnered significant attention from various sectors. The charging pile (CP) industry, a crucial component of the new energy vehicle (NEV) industry's supply chain, requires improvements in both quantity and quality. This study examined the technological innovation efficiency (TIE) of the CP industry, considering two levels: pure technical efficiency (PTE) and scale efficiency (SE), and explored methods to optimize its internal structure. By combining the grey correlation analysis (GCA) method with the generalized data envelopment analysis (GDEA) model, a reliable evaluation indicator system was established. Empirical findings revealed that the PTE of technological innovation in the CP industry exhibited an upward trend from 2019 to 2022, achieving a GDEA-effective state. However, the SE of technological innovation shows a downward trend, indicating non-GDEA effectiveness. The contribution of CP companies to the PTE of technological innovation has shown a persistent and accelerating decline, while their contribution to SE, once negative, gradually shifts toward a positive influence. Consequently, the internal technological innovation structure of the CP industry necessitates optimization and adjustment to attain balance. This study provides recommendations from the perspectives of both the government and companies.

The effect of global collaboration on climate mitigation technologies in reducing CO2

The fundamental approaches to industrial growth, government interventions, and market structure have ignored the main consequences of the common idea of “growth first, clean later”. This study investigates the relationship between carbon emissions (CO2) and international collaboration in climate change mitigation technologies (ICCCMT), renewable energy consumption (REC), exports (EXP), imports (IMP), gross domestic product (GDP), foreign direct investment (FDI), natural resources rents (NRR), and domestic innovation in climate change mitigation technologies (DICCMT) for a panel of the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) countries over the period of 1990-2020. We adopted a series of econometric techniques for the visualization of the available data. We used second-generation econometrics estimations to verify cross-sectional dependence, co-integration, and stationary between the variables.Based on our findings, the study reveals that ICCCMT, REC, and DICCMT have a positive effect and contribute to CO2 mitigation of the 30 OECD economies. Furthermore, the findings reveal that ICCCMT can promote renewable energy consumption, thus the increase of REC will significantly mitigate CO2 emissions. The outcomes from the panel dynamic GMM model confirmed a positive relationship between CO2 emissions, FDI, exports, imports, and GDP. The study indicates that these variables can adversely affect climate change mitigation.

Comprehensive Analysis of Implementing Robotics in the Indian Construction Industry

Implementing robotics in the Indian construction industry presents a significant opportunity to address longstanding challenges such as labour shortages, project delays, safety concerns, and quality inconsistencies. As India's urbanization accelerates, the demand for faster, safer, and more efficient construction processes is growing. This comprehensive analysis explores the potential benefits, obstacles, and strategies associated with adopting robotics in India’s construction sector. Key drivers include increasing automation trends, government initiatives like "Make in India," and the global shift toward smart infrastructure. However, challenges such as high initial investment, a fragmented industry structure, and the need for skilled operators and technicians could hinder widespread adoption. The analysis also highlights the role of robotics in enhancing productivity, reducing construction costs, and improving worker safety through a cost-benefit analysis, ultimately paving the way for more sustainable and advanced construction methodologies in India.

Legacy and Novel Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances in Surface Soils across China: Source Tracking and Main Drivers for the Spatial Variation.

China aims to actively control the contamination of globally concerning per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs). Evaluation of the current situation can provide a critical reference point for tracking the effectiveness of ongoing progress. Herein, we present the first comprehensive assessment of the spatial variations of 20 legacy and 54 novel PFASs in Chinese background soils in 2021. Novel PFASs were extensively detected in 98.4% of the samples, with 21 species being first reported, which greatly facilitated the appointment of diverse emission sources that aligned with local industrial structures. However, legacy PFASs still dominated the ∑74PFAS profile (median 0.51 ng/g, 0.050-8.33 ng/g). The spatial heterogeneity of soil PFASs was positively driven by economic development and atmospheric deposition, enabling the establishment of predictive models to project the national distribution and temporal trends. Elevated PFAS levels were predominantly distributed in the more industrialized eastern and southern regions, as well as other coastal areas with greater precipitation. ∑74PFAS in surface soils was estimated to increase by 12.9 pg/(g year) over 2002-2021, which would continue alongside economic growth, albeit with greater contributions from novel alternatives. Our work provides comprehensive baseline and predictive data to inform policies toward PFAS control in China.

Economic Growth Targets, Innovation Transformation, and Urban Carbon Emissions: An Empirical Study of the Yangtze River Delta

In the face of carbon emissions reduction efforts, which are a common but differentiated global responsibility, it is crucial to explore the potential synergistic path between economic growth and carbon emissions reduction. This study integrates economic growth management and carbon emissions into a theoretical framework, based on city-level panel data from 2005 to 2019 in the Yangtze River Delta and the fixed effects model. We explore the impact of economic growth targets on urban carbon emissions. Then, we explore the mechanism by which economic growth target affects carbon emissions with the mediation effect model and moderation effect model. The results reveal that economic growth targets are beneficial for carbon reduction, and innovation development from innovation transformation is an important mechanism driving carbon emissions reduction, but the effects of different innovation outputs exhibit notable variations. In addition, marketization and industrial structure affect the relationship between economic growth targets and carbon emissions. The heterogeneity analysis reveals substantial spatial and temporal differences. Based on the realities of developing countries’ ongoing economic targets, this study provides a new explanation for the relationship between government policies and carbon emissions, establishing a scientific basis for policymakers to formulate strategic green development policies.

Research on the Mechanism of Population Agglomeration's Role in High-Quality Economic Development in Anhui Province

In the early stages of economic development, population agglomeration significantly promotes economic growth. However, with the disappearance of the demographic dividend, negative externalities begin to strengthen. Currently, the economic development in Anhui Province faces challenges, necessitating a shift in focus from pursuing speed to pursuing quality, particularly concerning sustainable development. This paper analyzes the role of population agglomeration in high-quality economic development from the perspective of the five development concepts, constructing a mechanism to understand this relationship. Targeted recommendations for formulating appropriate population control policies and deepening the upgrading of industrial structures are proposed to promote high-quality economic development.

The Impact of Urban Industrial Structure on Citizen Income: Evidence from China

Technology advancements and the rise of new sectors have caused a steady shift in the urban industrial structure of cities. It is crucial to adopt effective policies to ensure that the industrial structure is conducive to economic development. This study aims to investigate the specific impact of urban industrial structure on residents’ income and how it promotes economic development from the individual level to the city level. Based on data from 5900 prefecture-level cities from 2003 to 2022, the empirical results show the following: (1) Urban industrial structure can significantly benefit both urban and rural residents’ income positively, albeit with a larger marginal effect for urban residents. (2) Enhancing urban industrial structures, rationalizing industrial structures, and upgrading industrial structures can considerably close the economic disparity between urban and rural areas in the corresponding locations. In light of these findings, policymakers should prioritize optimizing urban industrial structures for broader income growth. Balancing industrial reforms between urban and rural areas is crucial for sustainable economic development.

Comparison of Serum Testosterone Levels in Male Wild Boars and Domestic Pigs in Japan

(1) Background: The numbers of wild animals in Japan are increasing due to changes in the industrial structure and a decline in the population. Various extermination approaches have been used against animals that are classified as harmful, such as boars. Making effective use of exterminated wild animals will revitalize extermination activities by developing markets as the number of hunters declines. We measured serum testosterone levels to examine the potential value of male wild boars as a meat source and compared them with the testosterone levels in domestic male pigs. Testosterone has an analeptic effect even in small amounts. (2) Methods: Blood testosterone levels were measured by electrochemiluminescence in wild boars and domestic pigs, collected using box traps in Sasebo City. (3) Results: Almost no testosterone was detected in the sera of castrated domestic male pigs, and more testosterone was detected in wild male boars than in pigs. (4) Conclusions: The analysis demonstrated that male wild boars have unique nutritional value compared with domestic pigs.

Exploration of the Path of Industrial Structure Adjustment Forced by the Rigid Constraint of Water Ecology in the Yangtze River Economic Belt

Considering the two-way influence of water ecology and industrial structure, decompose and quantify the water ecological rigidity constraints into water environment constraints and water resources constraints, construct the evaluation system based on the theoretical framework of PSR, and analyze the spatio-temporal evolution characteristics of water ecological rigidity constraints of the Yangtze River Economic Belt from 2010 to 2021 by using the entropy weighting method, the method of catastrophe progression, and the kernel density estimation. Then, putting forward the types of zoning in the Yangtze River Economic Zone through K-means algorithm analysis to explore the rigid constraints of water ecology to force the path of industrial structure adjustment. The results indicate that: (1) the water ecological rigidity constraints show a decreasing trend, and the decreasing amplitude is upstream > downstream > midstream; (2) the water ecological rigidity constraints generally show the characteristic of “gradually decreasing from east to west”, and the degree of regional differences first decreases, then increases, and then decreases again; (3) it can be divided into six types, and the zoning results gradually change from the concentration in the medium-high type and high-high type to the concentration in the low-low type and medium-low type, and the rigidity constraint of water ecology is obviously improved. In light of the findings, the Yangtze River Economic Belt is divided into five types of development regions and further discusses that the industrial restructuring in different zones has different influencing effects on the regional socio-economic development, which provides suggestions for differentiated paths of water ecological protection and industrial restructuring.