Industrial Upgrading Research Articles

Theoretical Basis of Digital Transformation of Manufacturing Industry based on the Perspective of Resource Agglomeration

Manufacturing industry, as the foundation of a country and the basis of a strong country, is the pillar industry of China's national economy. With the rise of a new round of industrial revolution, the digital economy era, follow the pulse of the times, and actively promote the digital transformation is to realize the transformation and upgrading of the manufacturing industry is the way to go, but also to achieve China's economic development of high quality is an inevitable choice. At present, the foundation of China's manufacturing industry digital transformation is relatively weak, there is a general problem of "do not want to turn, will not turn, cannot turn". In the face of a turn on the death, not turn the dilemma of death, how to effectively and efficiently promote the integration of digital reality, the successful completion of the digital transformation of the current development of the manufacturing industry is a key issue that needs to be resolved. This paper analyzes the process mechanism of digital transformation of manufacturing industry based on the perspective of resource agglomeration, and analyzes the current situation of digital transformation of manufacturing industry and existing problems, and finally proposes relevant policy measures and research outlook. It aims to provide theoretical guidance and policy recommendations for the digital transformation of manufacturing industry.

Research on the Innovative Practices of Tourism Platform in Web3.0 - Taking Ctrip Trekki NFT Project as an Example

Against the background of the rapid evolution of the current Web3.0 technology paradigm, blockchain technology is gradually penetrating into the core of the tourism industry, heralding a disruptive industry transformation. This paper focuses on the Trekki NFT project launched by Ctrip as a reference to explore in depth the innovative application of Web3.0 technology in tourism service platforms and the deep-rooted value it implies. This paper firstly elaborates the core concept and key technical architecture of Web3.0, as well as the theoretical connotation and practical boundaries of non-homogenized tokens (NFT). Through a panoramic analysis of the Trekki NFT project, the paper reveals how Web 3.0 technology can stimulate the restructuring of business models of travel platforms, optimize the quality of user experience, and explore new opportunities for industry growth. In particular, the study demonstrates the strategic significance of Web 3.0 technologies in promoting the innovative development and industrial upgrading of the tourism industry. The discussion section of the study has refined a set of strategic frameworks and action recommendations for the deep integration of tourism platforms and Web 3.0 technologies, aiming at guiding and accelerating the technology adoption and progress of the tourism industry in the wave of the digital economy in the future.

The digital revolution's environmental paradox: Exploring the synergistic effects of pollution and carbon reduction via industrial metamorphosis and displacement

Faced with the dual challenges of “achieving carbon peaking by 2030 and carbon neutrality by 2060” and “continuing the battle against pollution,” the concept of synergistic reduction of pollution and carbon (SRPC) has emerged as a novel approach for China to tackle climate change and achieve comprehensive ecological improvement. In terms of the increasingly profound influence of the digital economy (DE) on China's economy and society, what impact will DE have on the SRPC? This is a realistic issue worth in-depth discussion. Using the super efficiency SBM model and the coupling coordination degree model (CCDM) to measure the SRPC level in 278 Chinese cities from 2007 to 2019, the influence of DE on the SRPC is investigated from the perspectives of industrial transformation and upgrading (ITU) and the transfer of polluting industry (TPI). The results show that, first, the SRPC in most Chinese regions showed a gradual upwards trend. Second, DE can effectively improve the local SRPC. The improvement is achieved through local ITU (especially industrial upgrading and industrial rationalization). Third, DE notably reduces the SRPC level in neighboring regions. The negative spillover effect has an inverted U-shaped change, and 300 km is the turning point. Spatial mechanism analysis shows that local DE inhibits the SRPC in neighboring regions through the spatial transfer of polluting industries. This study not only helps to assess the effect of DE development on the SRPC but is also highly important for determining how to effectively promote the interregional ITU to realize the SRPC.

Can rural areas in China be revitalized by digitization? A dual perspective on digital infrastructure and digital finance

Despite the growing recognition of the potential of digitization to transform rural areas, there is a paucity of research on its multi-faceted impact on rural revitalization in developing countries such as China. Thus, this study investigates the direct and mediating effects of digital infrastructure and digital finance on rural development in China by using a comprehensive dataset from 2003 to 2021. Based on the findings, both digital infrastructure and digital finance positively contribute to rural revitalization, with their impacts partially mediated by industrial upgrading and marketization, respectively. Meanwhile, the effectiveness of digitization varies across different contexts, underscoring the need for tailored strategies. The implication of the findings is that a holistic approach that integrates digital investments, financial inclusion, industrial upgrading, and marketization is crucial for harnessing the potential of digitization in bridging the urban-rural divide and fostering sustainable rural growth.

Prediction of Carbon Emissions Level in China’s Logistics Industry Based on the PSO-SVR Model

Adjusting the energy structure of various industries is crucial for achieving China’s carbon peak and carbon neutrality goals. Given the significant proportion of carbon emissions from the logistics industry in the tertiary sector, the research on predicting the carbon emissions of the logistics industry is of great significance for China to achieve its “Dual carbon” target. In this paper, the gray relational analysis (GRA) methodology is adopted to screen the influencing factors of carbon emissions in the logistics industry firstly. Then, the particle swarm optimization (PSO) algorithm was used to optimize the penalty coefficientand kernel function range parameter of the support vector regression (SVR) model (i.e. PSO- SVR model). The data from 2000 to 2021 regarding carbon emissions and related influencing factors in China’s logistics industry are analyzed, and the mean absolute percentage error (MAPE) of the PSO-SVR model is 0.82%, which shows that the proposed PSO-SVR model in this paper is effective. Finally, instructive suggestions are provided for China to achieve the “Dual Carbon” goal and upgrading of the logistics industry.

Does energy-consuming rights trading policy achieve urban pollution and carbon reduction? A quasi-natural experiment from China

Energy-consuming rights trading (ECRT) policy represents a critical policy instrument for China striving to achieve its “dual carbon” objectives, captivating significant attention for its potential to reduce pollution and carbon emissions. This study utilizes panel data from 290 Chinese cities spanning 2010 to 2021, leveraging the ECRT policy as a quasi-natural experiment. Employing Difference-in-Differences (DID) and Propensity Score Matching-Difference-in-Differences (PSM-DID) methodologies, we assess the effect of the ECRT policy on urban pollution and carbon reduction levels. The findings indicate: 1) Relative to non-demonstration cities, the ECRT policy significantly enhances pollution and carbon reduction levels in demonstration cities; this conclusion remains robust after rigorous testing. 2) Heterogeneity analysis indicates that the policy’s effect on pollution and carbon reduction is more significant in the central and western regions, and particularly evident in key and resource-based cities. 3) Mechanism tests demonstrate that the policy facilitates urban pollution and carbon reduction by cultivating green technological innovation and industrial structure upgrading. Therefore, to further advance the ECRT policy, it is necessary to expand the breadth, depth, and flexibility of policy implementation, while also optimizing environmental regulations to fully leverage the system’s potential in enhancing urban pollution and carbon emissions.

Financial Sector Liberalisation and the Climbing of Manufacturing GVCs

The National 14th Five-Year Plan and 2035 Vision Outline emphasise the need to promote the integration of China's manufacturing industry and service industry, so as to achieve the upgrading of China's manufacturing industry to the high end of the global value chain. Based on the OCED input-output data and the World Bank STRD data, the study empirically explores the impact of financial sector openness on the upgrading of the manufacturing industry's global value chain by using the global multiregional input-output model and the panel model. The study finds that both the quantity and quality of financial sector openness have a significant effect on the upgrading of manufacturing GVCs, with the quality of financial sector openness having a more pronounced effect, and this conclusion still holds after considering robustness; accordingly, it puts forward policy recommendations for financial sector openness to promote the upgrading of manufacturing GVCs.

The impact of environmental regulation on water resources carrying capacity in the Yangtze River Economic Belt

ABSTRACT Enhancing environmental regulation (ER) is a key strategy for improving the carrying capacity of water resources. This study employs panel data from 11 provinces and cities within the Yangtze River Economic Belt, spanning from 2008 to 2022, to calculate the carrying capacity of water resources using an enhanced TOPSIS model. It further examines the threshold effect and spatial spillover effect of ER on water resources carrying capacity (WRCC) through the construction of panel threshold models and spatial econometric models, respectively. Findings indicate a stable growth trend in the carrying capacity of water resources across the Yangtze River Economic Belt, with the upstream region typically exhibiting a higher capacity than both the midstream and downstream regions. ER positively impacts WRCC, demonstrating a single threshold effect. Nonetheless, the positive effect of ER on WRCC experiences diminishing marginal returns as industrial structure upgrades. While strengthening ER positively influences the carrying capacity of water resources in local areas, it exerts a negative spatial spillover effect on neighboring regions. In light of these findings, implementing differentiated ER, optimizing industrial structure and collaborative policies and promoting technological innovation are vital for fostering WRCC.

The impact of government budget on social development and optimization strategy

This paper aims to explore the relationship between government budget and economic development, as well as the impact and role of government budget on economic development. First, the important role of government budget in economic growth, resource allocation, and employment promotion is analyzed, and the role of government budget in promoting infrastructure construction, promoting industrial transformation and upgrading, and improving social welfare is explained. Secondly, the process and basis of government budget compilation are explained. Finally, the key factors affecting government budget on economic development are analyzed, the importance of government budget to economic development is summarized, and effective suggestions related to government budget to promote economic development are put forward.

Income Distribution Effects of the Belt and Road Initiative

The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) adheres to the principles of inclusive development, shared business interests, and collaborative construction. This paper empirically investigates the impact of the BRI on domestic income inequality in participating countries using national panel data from 2008 to 2023 and employing a difference-in-differences methodology. The findings indicate that the BRI significantly reduces domestic income inequality in participating countries. This effect is consistent across different geographic locations but is more pronounced in countries with lower levels of economic development. The economic channel analysis reveals that the BRI facilitates trade, which, in turn, reduces income inequality by promoting the industrial upgrading and optimizing the comparative advantages of the host countries. The political channel analysis shows that the BRI enhances governance capacities in participating countries, further contributing to the reduction in income disparity. Extended analyses suggest that the BRI significantly boosts the economic development levels of participating countries, and this positive effect is uniformly distributed across various economies. These findings provide empirical support for the mutually beneficial industrial relationships and inclusive development fostered by the BRI between China and its participating countries.

Learning from Competitors: Evidence from the Movie Industry

As an entertainment medium, movies are closely related to everyone's daily life. Using film industry data can help understanding how a country's industry develops and progresses. It is widely seen in many contexts that companies can learn from competitors to improve quality and adopt technology. This project uses detailed film production data to understand the upgrading process of China's film industry over the past decade. The study finds that foreign filmmakers produce significantly more feature films. Feature films are a special type of film that are more technical and require large visual teams. It finds that foreign films have more visual team members than domestic ones. It shows that domestic film productions catch up by hiring foreign visual team members. It is illustrated that how strategically hiring foreign experts promotes domestic industry upgrading and technological knowledge transfer. Film industry data provide unique insights into these human resource channels to narrow the capability gap between domestic and foreign producers. These results provide insights into the channels behind industry upgrading.

Systematic coupling and multistage interactive response of the urban land use efficiency and ecological environment quality

Rapid urbanization and industrialization have greatly contributed to boosting regional economic growth and mitigating the problem of poverty, but blind expansion of cities and towns has not only caused the inefficient use of urban land resources but also caused the deterioration in the urban ecological environment. Within the current context of emphasizing high-quality development, achieving synergy between the efficient use of urban land and ecological environmental protection is an urgent task for promoting new urbanization construction. In this study, cities in the upper reaches of the Yangtze River (URYR) were adopted as the research object, a theoretical analysis framework for the urban land use efficiency (ULUE) and ecological environment quality (EEQ) was established, the ULUE was measured by using the Slacks-Based Measure (SBM) model, the coupling coordination and interactive corresponding response relationship between the ULUE and EEQ were analyzed, and the influencing factors of the coupling coordination between these two systems were explored by using the random forest model. The following conclusions can be obtained: in 2020, compared with those in 2006, both the ULUE and EEQ were improved, and the two systems exhibited interactions and significant spatiotemporal heterogeneity. The coupling coordination degree (CCD) between the ULUE and EEQ could facilitate maintaining the original state, and the transfer of the CCD exhibited a significant spatial correlation with the state of neighbouring cities. The effect of the ULUE on the EEQ indicated nonlinear characteristics, while the effect of the EEQ on the ULUE was manifested as inhibition initially and then promotion. The random forest regression results showed that the population density, landscape agglomeration and connectivity, market conditions, government intervention, and industrial institutions are the key influencing factors of the CCD. Finally, this study provides policy implications for innovative urban land use modelling, environmental regulation, and industrial transformation and upgrading.

Spatiotemporal dynamics and influencing factors of CO2 emissions under regional collaboration: Evidence from the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region in China

Against the backdrop of global climate change and the “dual carbon” target, cities have a significant responsibility to achieve carbon reduction targets. As a crucial urban agglomeration in northern China, effectively balancing economic growth with CO2 emission reduction to achieve high-quality economic development remains a significant challenge that the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region should address both presently and in the future. The objective of this study is to utilize nighttime lighting data and energy consumption information to quantify the CO2 emissions of diverse cities within the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region spanning from 2006 to 2020. The research aims to analyze the spatial progression patterns of CO2 emissions across these urban centers, identify key determinants and their interrelations, and delve into the underlying mechanisms pivotal for advancing carbon mitigation strategies within urban agglomerations. The results indicate that: with an exception in Beijing where CO2 emissions slightly decreased compared to 2006, CO2 emissions increased across cities in the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region by 2020. High-value CO2 emission areas are primarily concentrated in central of the study area, exhibiting negative spatial correlation characteristics. Based on its urban development positioning, it is imperative for the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei urban agglomeration to formulate and implement carbon reduction strategies on innovative development, industrial upgrading, and ecological protection among other aspects towards coordinated low-carbon development.

How Environmental Regulation Affects Pollution Reduction and Carbon Reduction Synergies—An Empirical Analysis Based on Chinese Provincial Data

Faced with the dual challenges of environmental pollution and climate change, it is of great significance to study the impact of relevant environmental regulations on the synergistic effect of pollution reduction and carbon emission reduction and their influence mechanisms. Based on a theoretical analysis using the panel data of 30 provinces in China, a spatial econometric model and an intermediary effect model are used to investigate the impact of environmental regulations on the synergistic effect of pollution reduction and carbon reduction and the transmission mechanisms potentially responsible for these effects. The empirical results show the following: (1) The three kinds of environmental regulation effectively facilitate the synergistic effect of pollution reduction and carbon reduction, taking the following order when ranked according to the intensity of their effects: command-type environmental regulation (ER1) > market-based environmental regulation (ER2) > voluntary environmental regulation (ER3). (2) Environmental regulation effectively promotes the synergistic effect of pollution and carbon reduction through the three transmission mechanisms of stimulating technological innovation (TI), industrial structure upgrading (ISU), and restricting foreign direct investment (FDI), which take the following effectiveness order: TI > FDI > ISU. Based on the results of the study, policy suggestions to facilitate pollution reduction and carbon synergies are proposed to help China’s green and low-carbon development.

Explore the Motivation and Path of Green Transformation in Cement Industry

The cement industry in China plays a very important role in the manufacturing industry, and the transformation and upgrading of the cement industry is an important part of promoting the realization of the "double-carbon" goal. This paper sorts out the development status of the cement industry, summarizes the motivation of its green transformation, and deeply analyzes the possible path of its transformation, providing a possible reference for the transformation and upgrading of the cement industry.

New Exploration of Industrial Structure Upgrading under the Wave of Digital Finance

Based on the panel data of cities in the Yangtze River Delta region from 2011 to 2021, Through the two-way fixed effect model, this paper explores the mechanisms, effects and heterogeneity of digital finance development in promoting the upgrading of industrial structure. The results show that digital finance can significantly promote the upgrading of industrial structure, among which innovation and entrepreneurship is an important transmission path, and technology and finance play a key role in the process. Heterogeneity analysis shows that in non-central cities and cities with high consumption level, the promotion effect of digital finance development on industrial structure upgrading is more obvious. Therefore, it is necessary to further strengthen the construction of digital financial infrastructure, build an innovation-driven entrepreneurial environment, promote, and optimize the consumption environment according to city conditions.

Research on the Transformation and Upgrading of Manufacturing Industry under Low Carbon Development

With the increasing global attention to environmental issues, the low-carbon economy has become an important way to promote the transformation and upgrading of the manufacturing industry. The purpose of this study is to explore the transformation and upgrading of the manufacturing industry under the background of dual-carbon development, deeply analyze the concept of low carbon economy, the status of the manufacturing industry and energy consumption, as well as the challenges and opportunities faced by the upgrading and transformation of the manufacturing industry under the background of low carbon. First, by explaining the importance of a low-carbon economy, the need to promote the development of the manufacturing industry in the low-carbon direction. Secondly, the current development status of the manufacturing industry is analyzed and reveals the existing problems and challenges. At the same time, some possible ways and strategies to solve these problems. To sum up, this study puts forward in-depth analysis and thinking in the field of transformation and upgrading of the manufacturing industry under the background of low carbon and provides theoretical support and practical guidance for promoting the sustainable development of the manufacturing industry under the background of dual-carbon development.

A Study on the Factors Influencing the Competitiveness of Small Commodity Export Trade in Yiwu City and Development Strategies

Yiwu City, as the world's largest small commodity distribution center, has developed the world's most comprehensive small commodity production system based on China's vast industrial production system and high-quality cheap labor. However, with the continuous development of China's industrial upgrading and the constantly changing international situation, the small commodity industry in Yiwu City is also facing the contradiction of maintaining its current production positioning and industrial upgrading. Therefore, this article will establish an econometric model for the influencing factors of the small commodity industry in Yiwu City. Based on the research of previous scholars and the author of this article, four variables, namely GDP, exchange rate, annual average wage, and actual utilization of foreign investment in Yiwu City, will be selected for econometric simulation. Finally, it is concluded that, except for the actual amount of foreign capital, the other three variables can promote the export competitiveness of the small commodity industry.

Development and Mode Innovation of Cultural Tourism Resource based on Industrial Integration

The cultural tourism industry contributes to the growth of both cultural and tourism industries. Cultural Tourism Resource (CTR) is the prerequisite for the integrated development of the cultural tourism industry. Developing potential CTR can promote the new transformation and upgrading of the urban cultural tourism industry. Luoyang has the advantages of location and resources in the development of CTR, but its tourism industry develops slowly. Therefore, Luoyang City was taken as the research object and the relevant evaluation index system was established. The entropy method and grey correlation model were used to analyze the development trend and influencing factors of the city’s CTR. The entropy values of the eight indicators of the evaluation system of CTR established in the study were all above 0.96, indicating that the evaluation system was relatively stable. The grey correlation degree of CTR of historical culture and folk customs was high, which was 0.668 and 0.642, respectively. The grey correlation degree of religious culture and calligraphy and painting CTR was low, which was 0.625 and 0.617, respectively. The CTR of historical culture and folk customs have developed well, but the resources of religious culture, calligraphy, and painting need to be improved. The knowledge of cultural tourism location theory and regional economic growth theory are applied. According to the evaluation results and problems of the development of CTR in Luoyang, this paper puts forward targeted strategies for CTR.

Digital platforms and the spatial transformation of urban villages in southern China: a case for platform-urban villagism?

ABSTRACT In contrast to the dichotomy of platform urbanism-ruralism populated in recent urban geography, we propose an analytical framework of “platform-urban villagism” to examine the roles and impacts of digital platforms on the ongoing spatial transformations in urban villages in southern China. Our framework offers a nuanced understanding of the entanglements between digital platforms and key actors in unconventional urban areas. Leveraging empirical evidence from garment villages in Guangzhou, we explore the diversities of power relationships between various actors and the corresponding spatial implications. Specifically, our analysis reveals the potential symbiotic and productive relationships between digital platforms and other economic actors, leading to functional upgrading of the labor-intensive apparel industry and fostering non-antagonistic relationships with local governments and residents. By highlighting the transformation of production and non-production spaces within garment villages, our study challenges conventional notions of urban development and consumption-oriented activities associated with platform urbanism.