The digitalization of the economy is reshaping labor division while intensifying employment polarization and income inequality. Unlike conventional human capital or skill‐biased technological change perspectives that treat digitalization as neutral progress, this study reconceptualizes it—grounded in Marxist political economy—as a mechanism through which capital increases the organic composition, expands the reserve army of the industry, and fosters a new middle class. Using panel data from 31 Chinese provinces (2001–2024) and employing FGLS, Prais‐Winsten, and CCE‐MG estimators, the study finds that digitalization significantly reduces employment for unskilled and low‐skilled laborers, consistent with the contemporary relevance of the reserve army theory. Simultaneously, it substantially raises demand for medium‐ and high‐skilled laborers, with medium‐skilled workers benefiting most, consistent with the rise of a new middle class. Heterogeneity analysis shows stronger positive effects in regions with high capital formation and consumption. Theoretically, this study bridges Marxist political economy with digital economy research. Policy implications suggest that addressing digital inequality requires more than training—including social protection, digital service taxes, and labor‐enhancing technologies.
Chengzhi Qiao· Bulletin of Economic Researc...· 0 citations
As the core platform for global economic governance, the green transformation of the G‐20 countries is of vital importance to global sustainable development. This study, based on panel data from 1990 to 2023 and using a second‐generation econometric method, examines the impact of five factors—digitalization, fintech, trade openness, industrial growth, and per capita income—on the sustainability of natural resources. The findings are as follows: (1) Digitalization intensifies resource dependence, resulting in a “digital rebound effect”, with the transmission channel being the stimulation of consumer demand; (2) Fintech has the potential for “resource conservation” but the effect varies by country, with the transmission channel being green investment promotion; (3) Trade openness and industrial growth inhibit resource rents, verifying the environmental Kuznets curve from the resource perspective; (4) The interaction between digitalization and fintech, and between digitalization and trade openness generates a “doubled rebound effect”; (5) The impact of each factor varies systematically between developed and developing countries, as well as between emerging markets and non‐emerging markets. It is recommended that the G‐20 implement a comprehensive strategy integrating green digitalization, sustainable fintech, and clean industrial upgrading.
Chengzhi Qiao· Australian Economic Papers· 0 citations
