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In response to the global call to promote green production and achieve sustainable development, the proper use of the digital economy plays an important role. The deepening development of the digital economy has led to changes in the input of manufacturing factors and the structure of product demand, which in turn has led to corresponding changes in the level of green and sustainable development. This study employs a factor input-output non-expectation SBM-DEM model to assess the green manufacturing efficiency of 273 prefecture-level and higher cities in China. The relationship between the digital economy and green manufacturing efficiency is analyzed based on this model. The rise of the digital economy is found to contribute to the increase in green manufacturing efficiency, albeit with a non-linear “inverted U-shaped” trend. At the same time, the current level of digital economy development is slowly improving but has not yet reached the inflection point of the “inverted U-shaped” curve, and digital economy development still has a positive impact on green manufacturing efficiency at the current level of development. Furthermore, government intervention is critical in moderating the inverted U-shaped link between the digital economy and green manufacturing efficiency, which has a major weakening effect.

Abstract In recent times, a transformative phenomenon has emerged within the realm of manufacturing known as “manufacturing input servitization.” This concept involves the integration of services into traditional manufacturing processes, and while it has received some attention, its implications for labor income distribution have not been extensively explored. This study embarks on an exploration of the intricate relationship between manufacturing input servitization and labor income share, with a specific focus on its impact on income distribution. Employing rigorous regression analysis techniques, this paper rigorously assesses the relationship between manufacturing input servitization and labor income share. Our analysis also delves into mediation effects, uncovering the pivotal roles played by labor productivity and human capital in driving labor income share improvements. The results consistently reveal a positive correlation between manufacturing input servitization and labor income share, an association that persists even after controlling for various factors. Heterogeneity analysis further showcases that the medium-technology manufacturing sector benefits the most from servitization, closely followed by the high-technology and low-technology sectors. In addition, this research highlights a pronounced impact of manufacturing servitization on labor income in developing economies compared to their developed counterparts. Beyond the empirical discoveries, extended analysis reveals a implication: the enhancement of labor income share in the manufacturing sector contributes significantly to reducing income inequality across the broader economy. These findings hold substantial implications for both policymakers and manufacturing firms. Encouraging the adoption of servitization strategies within manufacturing not only fosters labor income growth but also aligns with the broader societal goal of reducing income inequality. As such, this research provides invaluable insights for stakeholders committed to nurturing inclusive economic growth.

Can haze pollution effectively influence local government debt? This study uses data from 285 Chinese cities at the prefecture level or above from 2006 to 2019, and uses annual average sunny days as an instrumental variable to systematically analyze the impact of haze pollution on local government debt from both theoretical and empirical perspectives. The main conclusions of this study are: (1) there is a positive correlation between haze pollution and local government debt; (2) sub-sample analysis suggests that the impact of haze pollution on local government debt shows heterogeneous effects in different cities and at different times; and (3) the analysis of the relevant mechanism suggests that haze pollution can promote local government debt through industrial structure upgrading and green technology innovation. The research conclusions provide policy references for Chinese local governments to effectively respond to haze pollution.

Abstract Human resources for health (HRH) is a cornerstone in the medical system. This paper combined data envelopment analysis (DEA) with Tobit regression analysis to evaluate the efficiency of health care services in China over the years between 2007 and 2019. Efficiency was first estimated by using DEA with the choice of inputs and outputs being specific to health care services and residents’ health status. Malmquist index model was selected for estimating the changes in total factor productivity of provinces and exploring whether their performance had improved over the years. Tobit regression model was then employed in which the efficiency score obtained from the DEA computations used as the dependent variable, and HRH was chosen as the independent variables. The results showed that all kinds of health personnel had a significantly positive impact on the efficiency, and more importantly, pharmacists played a critical role in affecting both the provincial and national efficiency. Therefore, the health sector should pay more attention to optimizing allocation of HRH and focusing on professional training of clinical pharmacists.

This study analyzes the relationship between haze pollution and industrial agglomeration using particulate matter (PM2.5) concentration data from 269 prefecture-level cities in China between 2007 and 2016. We calculate the industrial agglomeration level using the location entropy method with industrial output as the core variable. We find that the industrial agglomeration effect is adversely affected by increased haze pollution, proving a negative correlation between them. We also compare the effect of haze pollution on industrial agglomeration before and after the 18th National Congress. The comparison shows that the effect of haze pollution on industrial agglomeration during 2012 to 2016 was significantly less than that during 2007 to 2011. Therefore, the industrial agglomeration effect can be strengthened by reducing environmental pollution through vigorous environmental governance efforts. These findings provide empirical evidence for governments’ continued implementation of current environmental protection policies.