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Industrial Technology Progress

Digital Economy Empowering the Integration of Manufacturing  and Producer Services: Theoretical Mechanisms and Empirical  Evidence 

Zhou Changshi, Li Feifei, Gao Xiuli

(School of Management, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang 524088, China)

Abstract: With the deep advancement of a new round of technological revolution and indus⁃ trial transformation, the deep integration of manufacturing and producer services has become a  key pathway to promote high-quality economic development. Based on panel data from 31 Chi⁃ nese provinces from 2012 to 2022, this study constructs a measurement system for digital  economy development level from three dimensions: digital technology, data elements, and digital  markets, evaluated comprehensively using the entropy weight method. The integration level is  measured using a coupling coordination degree model across four aspects—industrial scale, effi⁃ ciency, potential, and constraints—through ten indicators. New quality productive forces are as⁃ sessed via a multi-indicator evaluation system constructed from four dimensions: new-type la⁃ borers, new-type means of labor, new-type subjects of labor, and optimized factor combinations. By employing bidirectional fixed-effects models, mediation effect models, and spatial economet⁃ ric models, this paper empirically tests the direct impact of the digital economy on the integra⁃ tion of the two industries, the mediating role of new quality productive forces, and its spatial  spillover effects. The results indicate: ①The digital economy significantly promotes the integra⁃ tion of manufacturing and producer services, with data elements having the strongest effect, fol⁃ lowed by digital technology, and digital markets having a relatively weaker impact. ②New qual⁃ ity productive forces play a significant partial mediating role between the digital economy and in⁃ dustrial integration, accounting for 49.91% of the total effect. The digital economy fosters the  digital transformation of laborers, the intelligentization of means of labor, the servitization of sub⁃ jects of labor, and the optimization of factor combinations, thereby promoting deeper integration. ③Regional heterogeneity analysis shows that the promoting effect of the digital economy on inte⁃ gration is most significant in the eastern region, while it is not significant in the central, western, and northeastern regions. ④Spatial effect tests reveal a significant positive spatial correlation in  industrial integration. The digital economy exhibits positive spatial spillover effects on neighbor⁃ ing regions, particularly evident under adjacency and economic distance matrices. This research  provides new theoretical perspectives and empirical evidence for understanding industrial inte⁃ gration mechanisms in the digital economy era. Finally, based on the findings, policy recommen⁃ dations are proposed in four areas: First, focus on data elements as the core to break down data  circulation barriers. Second, implement regionally differentiated strategies—strengthening plat⁃ form ecosystems in the east while improving digital infrastructure in the central and western re⁃ gions. Third, vigorously cultivate new quality productive forces by enhancing digital skills train⁃ ing and promoting intelligent equipment. Fourth, establish cross-regional collaboration mecha⁃ nisms based on spatial spillover effects, particularly by increasing support for digital infrastruc⁃ ture in the central, western, and northeastern regions. 

Key words: digital economy; new quality productive forces; industrial integration; manufac⁃ turing; producer services; heterogeneity; spatial spillover effects