How does digitalization of producer services impact manufacturing green productivity? Evidence from China

The digitalization of producer services (DPS), driven by the deep integration of the digital economy with producer services, has become a key driver of the manufacturing green productivity (MGP). This study examines the impact of DPS on MGP and its underlying mechanisms, using panel data from 30 provinces in China from 2010 to 2021. The findings show that DPS significantly enhances MGP, and the results remain robust after a series of sensitivity tests. The mechanism analysis reveals that DPS promotes MGP primarily through industrial structure upgrading and promoting the flow of production factors. Furthermore, heterogeneity analysis indicates that DPS exerts a more pronounced positive effect in regions with high technological intensity, abundant human capital, and high degree of openness. These results provide empirical evidence of the role of DPS in enhancing MGP and offer policy insights to support the green development of the manufacturing sector in developing economies.