Does Digital Technology Development Promote Export Efficiency?

ABSTRACT This study examines the impact of digital technologies on export efficiency using provincial data from 2011 to 2021 in China. Employing principal component analysis (PCA), the super‐slacks‐based measure (SSBM) model, and the spatial Durbin model (SDM), the research investigates the influence and pathways of digital technologies on export efficiency. The findings indicate that digital technologies have a significant impact on export efficiency, operating both directly and indirectly through innovation and scale effects. An increase in innovation or scale effect of 1% results in an increase in export efficiency of 0.607% and 0.852%, respectively. Furthermore, the use of digital technologies has been observed to generate remarkable spatial spillover effects within a 750 km radius, thereby enhancing export efficiency. Policymakers should therefore promote digital technologies to strengthen regional economic trade.