Digital economy revolutionizing green total factor productivity in construction industry

The rise of the Digital Economy (DE) in green development, particularly within the construction sector, necessitates deeper understanding. This study, analyzing panel data from 30 Chinese provinces between 2004 and 2020, investigates DE's influence on Green Total Factor Productivity (GTFP) using a super-SBM model for GTFP estimation and a Global GML index for dynamic evaluation. Results reveal a U-shaped relationship between DE and GTFP, with southern and coastal provinces experiencing more significant benefits compared to their northern and inland counterparts. Notably, non-resource-based provinces witness substantial GTFP improvements due to DE, whereas resource-afflicted regions see limited effects. Moreover, the study underscores the important roles of green technology innovation and environmental regulations in mediating DE's impact. Consequently, policy recommendations are made, advocating for government support in industry digitalization, green technology research, and localized digitalization efforts to foster green growth within the construction sector, thereby advancing broader green development objectives.