The Digitalization Imperative: Unveiling the Impacts of Eco-Industry Integration on Sectoral Growth and Transformation

In the context of the global shift toward sustainable development, ecosystem-based ecological industries have become a critical area of focus for achieving green economic transformation and promoting the harmonious development of both society and the environment. This paper aims to explore the impact of industrial integration on the progression of ecological production within the framework of digitalization, with a particular emphasis on key sectors such as agriculture, forestry, and tourism. Utilizing multi-group data from 284 cities spanning the period 2011 to 2020, the study establishes a relationship between industrial integration and the growth of ecological industries, employing a two-way fixed effects model for analysis. The results demonstrate that industrial integration within ecological sectors significantly fosters sectoral development through two main mechanisms: the extension of industrial value chains and cross-sectoral synergies. Moreover, in the era of the digital economy, digitalization plays a pivotal role in facilitating the integrated development of ecological industries. The study further identifies that digital technology, digital finance, and digital expertise serve as mediating factors in this integration process. It is recommended that future initiatives focus on leveraging digital tools to enhance the integration of ecological industries, thereby advancing industrial growth. Furthermore, China is encouraged to continue promoting the integrated development of ecological industries by supporting the expansion of industrial value chains and fostering intersectoral cooperation. Simultaneously, the role of digitalization should be emphasized, with particular attention to the incorporation of relevant digital components into the industrial integration process moving forward.