数字基础设施建设与全国统一大市场形成——兼论交通网络扩张的协同效应

Digital Infrastructure Construction and Unified National Market Formation:On the Synergistic Effect of the Transportation Network Expansion

建设全国统一大市场是构建新发展格局的基础支撑和内在要求。数字基础设施作为数字中国的底层架构和技术基础,为加快建设全国统一大市场提供了新“基”遇。本文基于2009—2020年中国城市面板数据,从理论与实证层面分析数字基础设施建设对全国统一大市场形成的影响及其作用机制,并探讨了交通网络扩张的协同效应。研究发现,数字基础设施建设显著促进了全国统一大市场的形成,数字基础设施发展带来的数据要素流动性的增强和技术专业化分工程度的提升是影响全国统一大市场形成的重要渠道。异质性分析发现,在城市特征方面,数字基础设施更有助于推动中小城市、沿海城市的统一大市场形成;而在政府行为方面,政府对数字基础设施关注度的提升以及行政分割程度的降低更有利于发挥数字基础设施对全国统一大市场形成的促进作用。拓展性分析发现,交通网络的扩张与数字基础设施形成协同效应,对全国统一大市场形成产生更加明显的推动作用。

The construction of a unified national market is the foundational support and inherent requirement for establishing a new development pattern.As the underlying architecture and technological foundation of digital China,digital infrastructure provides a new opportunity for accelerating the construction of a unified national market.This article,based on panel data from cities at or above prefecture level in China from 2009 to 2020,analyzes the impact of digital infrastructure construction on the formation of a unified national market and its mechanisms from both theoretical and empirical perspectives.It also explores the synergistic effects of expanding transportation networks.This article finds that the construction of digital infrastructure significantly promotes the formation of a unified national market.The enhanced data factor mobility and increased degree of technological specialization brought about by the development of digital infrastructure are important channels affecting the formation of a unified national market.Heterogeneity analysis reveals that in terms of urban characteristics,digital infrastructure more effectively promotes the formation of a unified market in small and medium-sized cities,coastal cities.In terms of government behavior,an increased focus by government on digital infrastructure and a reduction in administrative segmentation are more conducive to leveraging the promotional role of digital infrastructure in the formation of a unified national market.Extension analysis finds that the expansion of transportation networks can form a synergistic effect with digital infrastructure,providing a more significant boost to the formation of a unified national market.This article offers policy references for the government to manage the relationship between new and old infrastructures and to guide the positive role of digital infrastructure in the construction of a unified national market.