Data Factor Flow and the Reduction of Inter-Enterprise Total Factor Production Gaps: Mechanisms and Pathways

The mobility of data factors and the adoption of a collaborative innovation framework are key drivers influencing the gaps in total factor productivity (TFP) among enterprises in the digital economy. Using panel data from Chinese A-share listed companies between 2006 and 2022, this study empirically demonstrates how data factor flow reduces TFP gaps. The findings reveal that data factor flow enhances TFP convergence by facilitating knowledge diffusion, improving information transmission, and boosting innovation efficiency. However, the heterogeneity in enterprise RD efforts limits this convergence effect, highlighting the importance of collaborative innovation. The study further shows that the impact of data factor flow is more significant in smaller, privately owned enterprises in the eastern regions and in industries with low to high technology intensity and high market concentration. Key insights include (1) a positive synergy between government data openness policies and enterprise data flow, which reinforces the narrowing of TFP gaps; (2) a nonlinear relationship between data flow and TFP gaps, suggesting an optimal range for its maximum impact. The study concludes that an integrated framework optimizing both data governance and collaborative innovation ecosystems can foster innovation diffusion and support productivity-based competition. These findings provide valuable insights for innovation policy formulation and strategic decision-making in the digital economy.