The quality of rural industry development: Conceptual connotation, logical construction and measurement evaluation

This study addresses the need for systematic evaluation of rural industry development quality (RIDQ) in China’s rural revitalization strategy. Drawing on systems theory and value theory, we develop a conceptual framework defining RIDQ as the degree to which objective characteristics meet societal requirements, and construct a ”three dimensions, seven categories, and sixteen indicators (3D7C16I)” evaluation system. Using multiple weighting methods (AHP-EWM, ridge regression, machine learning), 1967 county-level units in 2013, 2017, and 2022 are analyzed. Findings: (1) RIDQ shows ”high in the east, low in the west” gradient with strong spatial autocorrelation. (2) Temporally, RIDQ grows rapidly first then differentiates. (3) High/low-level regions are stable, while middle-tier regions fluctuate. (4) Neighbor environments create poverty traps (low-level), gradual optimization (medium-level), or siphoning effects (high-level). These provide empirical basis for differentiated rural revitalization policies.