Share:


How does ICT capital stock affect high-quality economic growth? Evidence from China

    Pengfei Guo Affiliation
    ; Zihua Hu Affiliation
    ; Xinyun Hu Affiliation

Abstract

As an essential driving force to promote industrial upgrading and technological innovation, ICT has gradually become the technological support for high-quality economic growth. This paper adopts the improved perpetual inventory method and entropy weight TOPSIS method to measure China’s ICT capital stock and economic high-quality growth index, respectively, and experimentally examines the effect of the former on the latter. The findings show that the south has a more extensive ICT capital stock than the north, and the coastal region has a better high-quality growth index than the inland region. Meanwhile, high-quality economic growth, which has increased since 2009 and is incredibly robust in the south, positively correlates with ICT capital stock. Further research finds that ICT capital stock can boost high-quality economic growth by raising marketization and human capital. The results provide policy recommendations for enhancing high-quality economic growth.


First published online 19 November 2024

Keyword : ICT capital stock, high-quality economic growth, marketization degree, human capital

How to Cite
Guo, P., Hu, Z., & Hu, X. (2024). How does ICT capital stock affect high-quality economic growth? Evidence from China. Technological and Economic Development of Economy, 1-24. https://doi.org/10.3846/tede.2024.22119
Published in Issue
Nov 19, 2024
Abstract Views
64
PDF Downloads
45
Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

References

Appiah-Otoo, I., & Song, N. (2021). The impact of ICT on economic growth comparing rich and poor coun- tries. Telecommunications Policy, 45(2), Article 102082. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.telpol.2020.102082

Bakry, W., Nghiem, X.-H., Farouk, S. A. A., & Vo, X. V. (2023). Does it hurt or help? Revisiting the effects of ICT on economic growth and energy consumption: A nonlinear panel ARDL approach. Economic Analysis and Policy, 78, 597–617. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eap.2023.03.026

Barbero, J., & Rodriguez-Crespo, E. (2018). The effect of broadband on European Union trade: A regional spatial approach. The World Economy, 41(11), 2895–2913. https://doi.org/10.1111/twec.12723

Baron, R. M., & Kenny, D. A. (1986). The moderator-mediator variable distinction in social psychological research: Conceptual, strategic and statistical considerations. Journal of Personality and Social Psychol- ogy, 51(6), 1173–1182. https://doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.51.6.1173

Barro, R. J. (2001). Human capital and growth. American Economic Review, 91(2), 12–17. https://doi.org/10.1257/aer.91.2.12

Bartel, A., Ichniowski, C., & Shaw, K. (2007). How does information technology affect productivity? Plant- level comparisons of product innovation, process improvement, and worker skills. The Quarterly Journal of Economics, 122(4), 1721–1758. https://doi.org/10.1162/qjec.2007.122.4.1721

Behera, B., Haldar, A., & Sethi, N. (2024). Investigating the direct and indirect effects of information and communication technology on economic growth in the emerging economies: Role of financial development, foreign direct investment, innovation, and institutional quality. Information Technology for Development, 30(1), 33–56. https://doi.org/10.1080/02681102.2023.2233463

Chen, X., & He, Y. (2022). The impact of financial resilience and steady growth on high-quality economic development-based on a heterogeneous intermediary effect analysis. Sustainability, 14(22), Article 14748. https://doi.org/10.3390/su142214748

Chen, B., & Xu, X. (2023). The north-south gap and spillover effect of Chinese service industry green development. Frontiers in Ecology and Evolution, 10, Article 1094646. https://doi.org/10.3389/fevo.2022.1094646

China Center for Human Capital and Labor Market Research. (2022). China Human Capital Index Report 2022. Central University of Finance and Economics Publishing. https://humancapital.cufe.edu.cn/rlzbzsxm/zgrlzbzsxm2022/zgrlzbzsbgqw_ywb_.htm

China Economic and Social Big Data Research Platform. (n.d.). https://data.cnki.net/

China Economic Information Network. (n.d.). https://www.cei.cn/

China Internet Network Information Center. (2022). The 50th statistical report on China’s internet develop- ment. https://www.cnnic.com.cn/IDR/ReportDownloads/202212/P020221209344717199824.pdf

Cho, Y., Lee, J., & Kim, T. Y. (2007). The impact of ICT investment and energy price on industrial electricity demand: Dynamic growth model approach. Energy Policy, 35(9), 4730–4738. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2007.03.030

Costinot, A., & Donaldson, D. (2012). Ricardo’s theory of comparative advantage: Old idea, new evidence.American Economic Review, 102(3), 453–458. https://doi.org/10.1257/aer.102.3.453

Dedrick, J., Kraemer, K. L., & Shih, E. (2013). Information technology and productivity in developed and developing countries. Journal of Management Information Systems, 30(1), 97–122. https://doi.org/10.2753/MIS0742-1222300103

Edquist, H., & Henrekson, M. (2017). Do R&D and ICT affect total factor productivity growth differently.Telecommunications Policy, 41(2), 106–119. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.telpol.2016.11.010 EPS database. (n.d.). https://www.epsnet.com.cn/

Erumban, A. A., & Das, D. K. (2016). Information and communication technology and economic growth in India. Telecommunications Policy, 40(5), 412–431. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.telpol.2015.08.006

Fan, G., Ma, G., & Wang, X. (2019). Institutional reform and economic growth of China: 40-year progress toward marketization. Acta Oeconomica, 69(s1), 7–20. https://doi.org/10.1556/032.2019.69.s1.2

Fueki, T., & Kawamoto, T. (2009). Does information technology raise Japan’s productivity? Japan and the World Economy, 21(4), 325–336. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.japwor.2009.02.001

Goldsmith, R. W. (1951). A perpetual inventory of national wealth. In Studies in Income and Wealth (Vol. 14, pp. 5–73). National Bureau of Economic Research.

Guo, K., Cao, Y. Q., Wang, Z. F., & Li, Z. Y. (2022). Urban and industrial environmental pollution control in China: An analysis of capital input, efficiency, and influencing factors. Journal of Environment Manage- ment, 316, Article 115198. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115198

Guo, P. F., Hu, X. Y., Zhao, S. K., & Li, M. M. (2023). The growth impact of infrastructure capital invest- ment: The role of regional innovation capacity-evidence from China. Economic Research-Ekonomska Istrazivanja, 36(2), Article 2142632. https://doi.org/10.1080/1331677X.2022.2142632

Hayes, A. F. (2009). Beyond Baron and Kenny: Statistical mediation analysis in the New Millennium. Com- munication Monographs, 76(4), 408–420. https://doi.org/10.1080/03637750903310360

Hazuki, I. (2015). The effect of ICT development on economic growth and energy consumption in Japan.Telematics and Informatics, 32(1), 79–88. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tele.2014.04.003

Hedberg, C., Hermelin, B., & Westermark, K. (2014). Transnational spaces ‘from above’ – The role of insti- tutions in promoting highly skilled labor migration from India to Sweden. Tijdschrift Voor Economische En Sociale Geografie, 105(5), 511–525. https://doi.org/10.1111/tesg.12110

Higón, D. A. (2012). The impact of ICT on innovation activities: Evidence for UK SMEs. International Small Busi- ness Journal: Researching Entrepreneurship, 30(6), 684–699. https://doi.org/10.1177/0266242610374484

Hussain, S., Gul, R., & Ullah, S. (2023). Role of financial inclusion and ICT for sustainable economic de- velopment in developing countries. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 194, Article 122725. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2023.122725

Jensen, R. (2007). The digital provide: Information technology, market performance, and welfare in the South Indian fisheries sector. The Quarterly Journal of Economics, 122(3), 879–924. https://doi.org/10.1162/qjec.122.3.879

Jorgenson, D. W., & Stiroh, K. J. (1999). Information technology and growth. American Economic Review, 89(2), 109–115. https://doi.org/10.1257/aer.89.2.109

Kallal, R., Haddaji, A., & Ftiti, Z. (2021). ICT diffusion and economic growth: Evidence from the sectorial analysis of a periphery country. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 162, Article 120403. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2020.120403

Kang, S. J., Ullah, A., Jiao, X. M., & Zheng, S. F. (2022). Information and communication technology impact on vegetable farmers’ transaction costs: Evidence from China. Ciencia Rural, 52(11), Article e20210392. https://doi.org/10.1590/0103-8478cr20210392

Ketteni, E. (2009). Information technology and economic performance in U.S industries. Canadian Journal of Economics, 42(3), 844–865. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-5982.2009.01529.x

Khalifa, A. B. (2019). Direct and complementary effects of investment in knowledge-based economy on innovation performance in Tunisian firms. Journal of Knowledge Economy, 10(2), 561–589. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13132-017-0481-1

Khan, H. U. R., Zaman, K., Khan, A., & Islam, T. (2017). Quadrilateral relationship between information and communications technology, patent applications, research and development expenditures, and growth factors: Evidence from the group of seven (G-7) countries. Social Indicators Research, 133, 1165–1191. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11205-016-1402-6

Kong, Q., Li, R. R., Jiang, X., Sun, P. B., & Peng, D. (2022). Has transportation infrastructure development improved the quality of economic growth in China’s cities? A quasi-natural experiment based on the introduction of high-speed rail. Research in International Business and Finance, 62, Article 101726. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ribaf.2022.101726

Kurniawati, M. A. (2022). Analysis of the impact of information communication technology on economic growth: Empirical evidence from Asian countries. Journal of Asian Business and Economic Studies, 29(1), 2–18. https://doi.org/10.1108/JABES-07-2020-0082

Lahouel, B. B., Taleb, L., Zaied, Y. B., & Managi, S. (2021). Does ICT change the relationship between total factor productivity and CO2 emissions? Evidence based on a nonlinear model. Energy Economics, 101, Article 105406. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eneco.2021.105406

Li, Q., & Wu, Y. (2022). ICT, human capital, and productivity in Chinese cities. Journal of the Asia Pacific Economy, 29(2), 972–993. https://doi.org/10.1080/13547860.2022.2094643

Lin, B. Q., & Zhou, Y. C. (2022). Does energy efficiency make sense in China? Based on the perspective of economic growth quality. Science of The Total Environment, 804(6), Article 149895. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149895

Liu, P., Zhang, L., Tarbert, H., & Yan, Z. (2022). Analysis on spatio-temporal characteristics and influenc- ing factors of industrial green innovation efficiency-from the perspective of innovation value chain. Sustainability, 14(1), Article 342. https://doi.org/10.3390/su14010342

Liu, Y. F., Li, M. Q., Feng, H. Y., & Feng, N. (2024). Technological cooperation or competition? optimal strategies of incumbent and entrant in ICT markets. Omega, 125, Article 103037. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.omega.2024.103037

Ma, Q., & Shi, F. F. (2023). New urbanization and high-quality urban and rural development: Based on the interactive coupling analysis of industrial green transformation. Ecological Indicators, 156, Article 111044. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecolind.2023.111044

Marszk, A., & Lechman, E. (2021). Reshaping financial systems: The role of ICT in the diffusion of financial innovations – Recent evidence from European countries. Technological Forecasting & Social Change, 167, Article 120683. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2021.120683

Mollick, A. V., & Vianna, A. C. (2024). Economic growth before and after the fiscal stimulus of 2008–2009: The role of institutional quality and government size. Public Choice, 198(1–2), 189–207. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11127-023-01121-5

Murphy, J. T., Carmody, P., & Surborg, B. (2014). Industrial transformation or business as usual? Informa- tion and communication technologies and Africa’s place in the global information economy. Review of African Political Economy, 41(140), 264–283. https://doi.org/10.1080/03056244.2013.873024

Niebel, T. (2018). ICT and economic growth-comparing developing, emerging and developed coun- tries. World Development, 104, 197–211. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2017.11.024

Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development. (2009). Measuring capital – OECD manual (Report). (2nd ed.). OECD Publishing.

Oluwatobi, S. O., Olurinola, I. O., & Taiwo, O. (2016). Human capital development in sub-Saharan Africa: The role of ICT. Journal of Economics Studies and Research, 2016, Article 564389.

Rajkhowa, P., & Baumüller, H. (2024). Assessing the potential of ICT to increase land and labour pro- ductivity in agriculture: Global and regional perspectives. Journal of Agricultural Economics, 75(2), 477–503. https://doi.org/10.1111/1477-9552.12566

Pesaran, M. H. (2021). General diagnostic tests for cross-section dependence in panels. Empirical Economics, 60(1), 13–50. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00181-020-01875-7

Poncet, S. (2005). A fragmented China: Measure and determinants of Chinese domestic market disintegration. Review of International Economics, 13(3), 409–430. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-9396.2005.00514.x

Seo, H.-J., Lee, Y. S., & Oh, J. H. (2009). Does ICT investment widen the growth gap? Telecommunications Policy, 33(8), 422–431. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.telpol.2009.04.001

Shahiduzzaman, M., & Alam, K. (2014). Information technology and its changing roles to economic growth and productivity in Australia. Telecommunications Policy, 38(2), 125–135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.telpol.2013.07.003

Tang, Y. K., & Konde, V. (2020). Differences in ICT use by entrepreneurial micro-firms: Evidence from Zambia. Information Technology for Development, 26(2), 268–291. https://doi.org/10.1080/02681102.2019.1684871

Vu, K. M. (2013). Information and communication technology (ICT) and Singapore’s economic growth.Information Economics and Policy, 25(4), 284–300. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.infoecopol.2013.08.002

Wang, J., & Guo, D. (2023). Siphon and radiation effects of ICT agglomeration on green total factor pro- ductivity: Evidence from a spatial Durbin model. Energy Economics, 126, Article 106953. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eneco.2023.106953

Wang, X., Wang, Y., & Liu, N. (2023). Does environmental regulation narrow the north-south economic gap? – Empirical evidence based on panel data of 285 prefecture-level cities. Journal of Environmental Management, 340, Article 117849. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.117849

Wen, H., Liang, W., & Lee, C.-C. (2023). Input–output efficiency of China’s digital economy: Statistical measures, regional differences, and dynamic evolution. Journal of the Knowledge Economy. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13132-023-01520-5

Xu, F., Liu, Q., Zheng, X., Cao, L., & Yang, M. (2022). Research on the impact of China’s high-speed rail opening on enterprise market power: Based on the perspective of market segmentation. Transport Policy, 128, 121–137. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tranpol.2022.09.019

Yan, M., Wang, C., & Zhang, W. (2021). Nonlinear impacts of information and communications technology investment on industrial structure upgrading: The role of marketization. Applied Economics Letters, 30(3), 336–342. https://doi.org/10.1080/13504851.2021.1985066

Young, A. (2003). Gold into base metals: Productivity growth in the People’s Republic of China during the reform period. Journal of Political Economy, 111(6), 1220–1261. https://doi.org/10.1086/378532

Zhao, S., Cao, Y., Feng, C., Guo, K., & Zhang, J. (2022). How do heterogeneous R&D investments affect China’s green productivity: Revisiting the Porter hypothesis. Science of Total Environment, 825, Article 154090. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154090

Zhu, F., Li, Q., Yang, S., & Balezentis, T. (2021). How ICT and R&D affect productivity? Firm level evidence for China. Economic Research-Ekonomska Istraživanja, 34(1), 3468–3486. https://doi.org/10.1080/1331677X.2021.1875861