Assessment and optimization of regional digital economy development level based on AHP-entropy weight model: A case study of Yangtze River Delta Region

The digital economy, a key driver of global growth, faces regional disparities hindering China's sustainable development. Focusing on the Yangtze River Delta, this study develops a three-dimensional framework to assess digital economy development through: (i) digital infrastructure, (ii) digital industrialization, and (iii) industrial digitization. We integrate Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and entropy weight methods to create a hybrid weighting model, overcoming single-method limitations through matrix optimization. An enhanced TOPSIS evaluation reveals significant regional stratification: Jiangsu leads, followed by Zhejiang and Shanghai, with Anhui trailing. Infrastructure gaps, weak industry linkages, and uneven R&D investment drive these disparities. We propose tailored strategies for cross-regional coordination, offering policymakers a replicable model to advance China's digital transformation agenda.