Digital economy development and urban entrepreneurial activity: a quasi-natural experiment based on the “Broadband” pilot policy

Abstract

In this paper, the “Broadband China” pilot is used as an experiment, and the difference-in-difference model is used to compare the change of entrepreneurial activity between the pilot and non-pilot cities. It is found that the policy significantly improves the entrepreneurial activity of the pilot cities, especially in cities with a good foundation of digital economy, it is realized by reducing costs and expanding markets, which provides a basis for relevant policies.