Research on the spatial spillover effects of high-quality development of hunan manufacturing industry affecting digital economy in Hunan

Based on data from 14 prefecture-level cities in Hunan Province from 2011 to 2023, this study employs the Spatial Durbin Model (SDM) to analyze the spatial spillover effects of high-quality manufacturing development on the digital economy. Moran's I index test indicates significant spatial correlation in high-quality manufacturing development across the Hunan region. Results from the Spatial Durbin Model show that the coefficients for both high-quality manufacturing and its spatial lag term are positive and statistically significant at the 10% level, demonstrating that high-quality manufacturing positively influences the digital economy and exhibits spatial spillover effects. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that the direct effect of high-quality manufacturing on the digital economy in the Chang-Zhu-Tan region is significantly higher than that in non-Chang-Zhu-Tan areas, with spillover effects showing regional gradient differences. The study proposes establishing a “core leadership - specialized undertaking - green empowerment” collaborative mechanism. By building innovation consortia, developing industrial internet platforms, and deploying digital infrastructure, this approach aims to strengthen the spatial interaction effects between manufacturing and the digital economy.