Data Factor Marketization and Urban Industrial Land Use Efficiency: Evidence from the Establishment of Data Trading Platforms in China

Enhancing urban industrial land use efficiency (UILUE) is critical for addressing human–land conflicts and promoting sustainable urban development. However, the role of data trading in influencing UILUE remains insufficiently examined in the literature. This study explores the effect of data factor marketization (DFM) on UILUE and its underlying mechanisms. Using data from 284 Chinese cities between 2006 and 2022, this study treats the establishment of data trading platforms as a quasi-natural experiment. A multi-period difference-in-differences (DID) model is applied to evaluate the causal impact of DFM. The findings indicate that DFM significantly improves UILUE. This improvement mainly occurs through technological innovation and reduced land resource misallocation. Furthermore, the positive impact is more pronounced in cities with lower levels of market segmentation, stricter environmental regulations, and those located in the eastern region. This study offers valuable theoretical insights and practical implications for optimizing urban land use and advancing sustainable development.