The Impact of China's Logistics Hub Construction on the Digital Transformation of Logistics Enterprises in the Context of the Belt and Road Initiative

The study addresses the issue of synergistic development between logistics hub construction and the digital transformation of logistics enterprises in the context of the high-quality development of the Belt and Road Initiative. Based on panel data from 2013–2023 for public companies in the logistics sector listed on the Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchange A-shares, the construction of logistics hubs is considered as an instrument of public policy. Using the Difference-in-Differences method, the study empirically tests the impact effect of national logistics hub construction on the digital transformation of logistics enterprises, the regional heterogeneity of this impact, and the mechanisms of influence. The results show that the construction of national logistics hubs has a statistically significant positive stimulating effect on the digital transformation of logistics enterprises, increasing its level by approximately 8.2%. The policy effect demonstrates clear regional heterogeneity: in eastern regions, due to advantages in digital economic foundations, industrial infrastructure, and market demand, the results are statistically significant, whereas in central and western regions, statistical significance is not yet observed. The innovative performance of enterprises plays a partial mediating role, forming the transmission pathway of "logistics hub construction → enhanced innovation capacity → digital transformation." This research provides theoretical support for implementing state tasks to reduce logistics costs and form a new "dual circulation" development model, and also offers practical guidelines for the intelligent upgrade of logistics hubs along the Belt and Road routes, improving cross-border logistics efficiency, and enhancing the resilience of industrial chains.