Research on the Impact of Market-Based Allocation of Data Elements on Urban-Rural Integration

Abstract

Focusing on the core relationship between the market-based allocation of data elements and urban-rural integration, this study explores both theoretical and empirical dimensions. Theoretically, data elements establish an enabling mechanism of "factor mobility-industrial synergy-income equilibrium" by breaking down urban-rural information barriers, optimizing resource allocation efficiency, and fostering new digital economy models: market-based data reduces the cost of factor circulation between urban and rural areas, driving the downward flow of production factors such as capital and technology to rural regions;Digital technology deeply integrates with agriculture and rural services, restructuring urban-rural industrial value chains; data-enabled new employment forms and income channels help narrow the urban-rural income gap. Empirically, using interprovincial panel data with a two-way fixed effects model and mediation analysis, we find that market-based allocation of data elements significantly and positively impacts urban-rural integration through the mediating pathways of industrial upgrading and improved factor allocation efficiency.Heterogeneity analysis indicates that the enabling effect is more pronounced in regions with well-developed digital infrastructure and higher marketization levels. This research provides theoretical support and empirical references for leveraging data factor marketization reforms to address the urban-rural dual structure and promote high-quality integrated urban-rural development.