How the Digital Economy Empowers the Structural Upgrading of Cultural Industries—An Analysis Based on the Spatial Durbin Model

Abstract

The digital economy (De) is a major driving force in pushing structural improvements in the cultural industry. Theoretically, the De can empower the structural upgrading of the cultural industry by promoting technological innovation. Empirically, based on the provincial panel data of 31 regions in China from 2013 to 2020, this research utilizes the spatial Durbin model (SDM) to reveal the impact of the De on the structural upgrading of cultural industries. It also utilizes the mediation effect to test the path of the De on the structural upgrading of cultural industries through regional technological innovation. It is found that (1) the structural upgrading of the cultural industry shows significant spatial autocorrelation, and the eastern region is where the high–high cluster pattern predominates. (2) The De could successfully encourage the restructuring of the local cultural industry, and the spillover effect in space also promotes improving the organization of the cultural industry in neighboring regions. (3) A mechanism analysis shows that the De realizes the upgrading of cultural industry structure by enhancing regional technological innovation ability. Based on this, relevant policy recommendations are made to promote the upgrading of cultural industry structure in three dimensions: improving the level of the De, strengthening the ability of inter-regional cooperation, and promoting technological innovation. The study provides an important reference for the upgrading of China’s cultural industry structure from the De’s perspective.