The Formation Logic of Regional Differentiation in the Digital Transformation of the Equipment Manufacturing Industry Under the Threshold of Digital Infrastructure
The digital transformation of the equipment manufacturing industry exhibits a significant and continuously widening trend of regional divergence in the spatial dimension. Based on threshold theory, this study systematically elucidates the formation logic of regional differentiation under the constraints of digital infrastructure thresholds. The research indicates that the investment threshold of digital infrastructure, the threshold of digital human capital, and the composite threshold of factor synergy are intertwined and progress layer by layer, jointly constituting a constraint system for the digital transformation of the equipment manufacturing industry. Differences in factor endowments, geographic spatial decay, and variations in policy coordination are the three underlying causes of regional divergence. Amplified by threshold effects, these three factors overlap with each other, causing the transformation gap between early-movers and late-comers to exhibit a self-reinforcing and solidifying trend. Overcoming these thresholds requires implementing a trinity strategic combination: proactive layout of infrastructure, simultaneous introduction and cultivation of digital talent, and category-based regional policy implementation. This study provides a theoretical reference for understanding the formation mechanism of the regional digital divide and promoting coordinated regional development.
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