Research on the Facilitating Role of the Digital Economy in Industrial Structure Upgrading -- An Empirical Analysis Based on Panel Data from Anhui Province

Abstract

The digital economy is playing an increasingly prominent role as a key driver for promoting high-quality economic development and upgrading industrial structure. This study utilizes panel data from 16 prefecture-level cities in Anhui Province from 2011 to 2022 to conduct an empirical analysis. The results demonstrate that rapid progress in the development of the digital economy positively contributes to industrial structure upgrading, facilitating both the advancement and rationalization of the industrial structure. Based on the research findings, the following recommendations are proposed: local governments in Anhui Province should implement policies to support the sustained and healthy development of the digital economy and improve the integration of industry digitization and digital industrialization. By enhancing the application of digital technology in industries and increasing the proportion of digital technology adoption, continuous efforts should be made to strengthen the integration of industry and digital technology, improve the level of industrial informatization and intelligence, thereby facilitating the enhancement of industrial structure.