How does talent introduction drive digital economy development? Evidence from Chinese cities

This study empirically investigates the impact of talent introduction policies on the development of the digital economy and the mechanisms underlying these policies. The results indicate that talent introduction policies significantly promote the growth of the urban digital economy. Mechanism analysis indicates that talent introduction fosters regional digital technology innovation and the clustering of digital industries, thereby driving regional digital economy development. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that the positive effects of talent introduction on urban digital economy development are most pronounced in cities with lower administrative ranks, smaller populations, and those farther from provincial capitals. This research provides a new perspective for understanding the development path of urban digital economies under the ‘talent-driven development’ strategy.