The Determinant of Total Factor Productivities in China’s Urban Agglomerations
China's urban agglomerations (UA) have become pivotal engines of national economic growth, facilitating regional transformation and broader socioeconomic advancement. However, despite the rapid development, China is currently experiencing an overall economic slowdown. Existing studies have pred...
| المؤلف الرئيسي: | |
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| التنسيق: | أطروحة |
| اللغة: | الإنجليزية الإنجليزية الإنجليزية |
| منشور في: |
ZHIHONGYU
2025
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| الموضوعات: | |
| الوصول للمادة أونلاين: | http://ir.unimas.my/id/eprint/49000/ |
| Abstract | Abstract here |
| الملخص: | China's urban agglomerations (UA) have become pivotal engines of national economic growth, facilitating regional transformation and broader socioeconomic advancement. However, despite the rapid development, China is currently experiencing an overall economic slowdown. Existing studies have predominantly focused on individual cities, often neglecting the regional dynamics and integrative nature of UA. Furthermore, with diminishing returns from traditional factor-driven models, there is an urgent need to evaluate and transition towards innovation-led growth.
This study aims to bridge the knowledge gap by assessing the changing trends of TFP in China’s six major UA from 2010 to 2019. Specifically, it seeks to: (i) evaluate TFP levels across major UAs; (ii) conduct horizontal comparisons of TFP dynamics among these regions; and (iii) identify the key factors influencing TFP growth. Using panel data from 92 cities and employing the DEA-Malmquist method, the study measures TFP and its decomposition indicators to examine regional disparities and the driving forces of economic efficiency. A dynamic panel model is constructed to empirically test the influence of various determinants such as government investment, industrial structure, and urbanization level.
The findings reveal that TFP-led growth in China’s urban agglomerations is not merely a by-product of expansion but reflects a dynamic equilibrium shaped by the strategic allocation of innovation resources and the alignment of complex development goals. Significant heterogeneity exists among the six major UA, with discernible growth trajectories categorized into stable advancement, cyclical volatility, and structural transformation. These patterns underscore uneven regional capacities to leverage innovation for productivity gains. The analysis further identifies government technological investment and the pace of urbanization as consistent drivers of TFP improvement. However, structural inefficiencies—such as rigid industrial composition, insufficient R&D capability, and limited openness—continue to impede sustainable productivity growth. These constraints suggest that without targeted policy interventions to restructure industrial bases and enhance innovation ecosystems, the transformative potential of UA may remain underutilized. This study offers new empirical evidence for understanding regional productivity disparities and provides theoretical and policy guidance for advancing high-quality, innovation-driven, and sustainable urban development in China. |
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