Data–Knowledge Flow, Rural Finance, and Rural Revitalization: City-Level Evidence from China
Data, knowledge flow significantly promotes Chinese rural revitalization, with rural finance strengthening its effect via urban, rural interface density and agricultural knowledge conversion.
Published Sep 20, 2026Paper ↗
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Abstract
Using city-level panel data from China during 2009–2024, this study examines the impact of data–knowledge flow on rural revitalization and the moderating role of rural finance. The results show that data–knowledge flow significantly promotes rural revitalization. Further analysis shows that rural finance positively moderates this relationship, indicating that a stronger rural financial environment improves the conversion efficiency of data and knowledge resources into rural development outcomes. Mechanism tests reveal that urban–rural data–knowledge interface density and agricultural knowledge scenario conversion capability are important transmission channels. Heterogeneity analysis further shows that the effect of data–knowledge flow is more pronounced in cities with a stronger agricultural base and in cities located on the southeast side of the Hu Huanyong Line. This study extends the literature on digital rural development by shifting the focus from digital infrastructure to data–knowledge flow, and highlights the complementary role of rural finance in supporting rural revitalization.