Does the National Big Data Comprehensive Pilot Promote Urban Green Innovation?—An Analysis Based on Multi-Period DID Estimation

本文旨在探讨国家大数据综合试点政策对城市绿色创新水平的影响。利用2010~2021年间我国287个地级以上城市的面板数据，通过构建多时点双重差分(DID)模型进行实证分析。研究结果显示，国家大数据综合试点的设立显著提高了城市绿色创新水平。这一结论在经过平行趋势检验、安慰剂检验和稳健性检验后依然成立。机制检验表明，国家大数据综合试点主要通过提升城市数字经济水平以及强化人才聚集两条渠道驱动了城市绿色创新水平的提升。异质性分析进一步揭示，该政策对东部地区城市、其次是中部城市的绿色创新增进效应更为强烈、其次是中部城市、最后是西部城市。本研究为通过推动大数据发展来增进城市绿色创新提供了重要的政策启示。This paper aims to explore the impact of the National Big Data Comprehensive Pilot Policy on urban green innovation levels. Utilizing panel data from 287 prefecture-level and above cities in China between 2010 and 2021, an empirical analysis was conducted by constructing a multi-period difference-in-differences (DID) model. The research results indicate that the establishment of the National Big Data Comprehensive Pilot significantly enhances urban green innovation levels. This conclusion remains valid after undergoing parallel trend tests, placebo tests, and robustness checks. Mechanism tests reveal that the National Big Data Comprehensive Pilot primarily drives the improvement of urban green innovation through two channels: promoting the development of the urban digital economy and strengthening the agglomeration of scientific and technological talent. Heterogeneity analysis further demonstrates that the policy exerts a more pronounced effect on enhancing green innovation in eastern cities, followed by central cities, and lastly western cities. This study provides important policy implications for promoting urban green innovation through the advancement of big data development.