The Influence of the Convergence of Digital and Green Technologies on Regional Total Factor Productivity: Evidence from 30 Provinces in China

This paper explores the development of digital and green collaboration, empirically examining both the linear and nonlinear impacts of the convergence of digital and green technologies on regional total factor productivity (TFP). Using data from 30 provinces and cities in China from 2010 to 2022, the study constructs a panel threshold model with business environment and intellectual property protection as threshold variables to investigate their roles in mediating the effects of digital–green technology convergence on regional TFP. The key findings are as follows: (1) The linear analysis reveals that the convergence of digital and green technologies significantly enhances regional TFP. (2) The nonlinear analysis demonstrates a nonlinear relationship between the convergence of these technologies and regional TFP. (3) The threshold effect test identifies a single-threshold effect for the business environment, showing that once the threshold is surpassed, the positive influence of the convergence of digital and green technologies on TFP increases. Additionally, a double-threshold effect is found with intellectual property protection; as intellectual property protection surpasses the first and second thresholds, the positive impact initially strengthens but then weakens. (4) A heterogeneity analysis shows that the convergence of digital and green technologies significantly contributes to TFP in the eastern regions, while the effects in central and western regions are not significant.