Intelligent Transformation, Export Product Competitiveness and Industrial Chain Spillover Effects
ZHANG Zhibin1,2, WANG Dian1, HAN Feng3
1. Business School, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, China; 2. Research Center for Regional High-quality Development, Hunan University of Science and Technology, Xiangtan 411201, China; 3. Joint Research Institute, Nanjing Audit University, Nanjing 211815, China
Abstract Based on Chinese customs trade data, this paper innovatively constructs an export competitiveness indicator at the “ firm-product ” level from the perspective of market similarity. It investigates the impact of intelligent transformation on the competitiveness of firms’ exported products and its spillover effects along the industrial chain. The results indicate that the intelligent transformation of firms significantly enhances the competitiveness of their exported products. The mechanism analysis reveals that intelligent transformation boosts the competitiveness of exported products by strengthening both price competitiveness and quality competitiveness of the products. The heterogeneity analysis shows that intelligent transformation has a more significant impact on the competitiveness of exported products that are homogeneous, involve processing trade, and are exported to developed countries. Further analysis indicates that intelligent transformation can have a ripple effect on upstream and downstream firms through its impact on a particular segment of the industrial chain, featuring both forward and backward spillover effects along the industrial chain. The extended research finds that intelligent transformation of enterprises not only helps cultivate new momentum for foreign trade but also encourages exporting firms to actively participate in the domestic economic cycle. Its trade expansion effect is conducive to the diversification of exports. Intelligent transformation aids in market penetration and market development for existing export products. However, the “reshaping” effect on competitive advantages for new export products may not yet have been established.
2025, Vol. 42 
