In the era of the digital economy, enterprises utilize digital technologies to strengthen industrial collaboration and collaborative innovation, which is conducive to further promoting the integration of the industrial chain and the innovation chain. This holds significant practical importance for achieving high-quality development of the Chinese economy. Current academic research on the integration of the industrial chain and the innovation chain through digital technology is primarily qualitative, focusing on the significance of digital technology in this integration. Quantitative studies mainly involve the impact mechanism of the digital economy on the industrial and innovation chains, with limited research on the empowerment of dual-chain integration models by digital technology. This paper, from a "core-periphery" perspective, examines the position of enterprises in the industrial and innovation chains, identifying four structural positions: periphery of the industrial chain-periphery of the innovation chain, core of the industrial chain-periphery of the innovation chain, periphery of the industrial chain-core of the innovation chain, and core of the industrial chain-core of the innovation chain. In response to these structural characteristics, three effective dual-chain integration models are proposed: the traction integration model, the boost integration model, and the interlocking integration model. Digital technology is further divided into two dimensions: industrial digitalization technology and digital industrialization technology, to study their impact on these three integration models.
This paper selects manufacturing firms listed on the Chinese A-share market from 2014 to 2023 as the initial sample. By measuring the scale of enterprise assets and the number of patent applications, and using the list of main chain enterprises published by some provincial and municipal industry and information technology departments as a reference, the enterprises in the initial sample database are identified and screened at the levels of the industrial and innovation chains. Finally, based on the characteristics of the fusion mode, the initial sample library data is divided into three groups, resulting in a total of 275 manufacturing enterprises that meet the criteria.Using the system coupling coordination degree model and panel data regression analysis, this paper explores the impact of digital technology on the three integration models. The results indicate that the influence of digital technology on different integration models is differentiated. Specifically, industrial digitalization technology has a positive impact on the traction and interlocking integration models but a negative impact on the boost integration model; digital industrialization technology has a positive impact on the boost and interlocking integration models but a negative impact on the traction integration model.
This paper, from a "core-periphery" perspective, discusses dual-chain integration modes and reveals the intrinsic mechanisms behind the integration of the industrial and innovation chains, providing a new perspective for studying the integration in China. At the same time, this paper analyzes the effects of digital technology on the integration of the industrial and innovation chains, enriching the research on the mechanisms of digital technology's impact on this integration, and thus offering practical references for how enterprises can effectively utilize digital technology to achieve dual-chain integration.For enterprises, managers should recognize that different dimensions of digital technology have varying impacts on the upgrading of the industrial chain and the iteration of the innovation chain. Selecting appropriate digital technologies can enhance the efficiency of integrating the two chains and reduce operational risks. Additionally, enterprises should establish a technology assessment mechanism to regularly evaluate the applicability of digital technologies, ensuring alignment with their development strategies and continuously improving corporate competitiveness.While governments should implement differentiated policies for enterprises adopting different integration models. They should encourage enterprises to use digital technologies to upgrade industries and cultivate "little giant" enterprises with specialized, refined, unique, and innovative capabilities, as well as "hidden champions" in various sectors. For enterprises in the traction and booster integration models, governments can provide training and exchange platforms to help them select suitable technologies. For those in the embedded integration model, governments should strengthen market regulation to ensure fair competition. Moreover, governments should promote and popularize digital technologies, especially among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), to accelerate their technological transformation, improve the integration of the industrial and innovation chains, and ensure the sustainable and healthy development of both chains.