Digital Economy, Labor Mobility and Industrial Structure Optimization—Empirical Analysis Based on Mediating Effect and Threshold Effect

Using the provincial panel data in China from 2014 to 2021, this paper examines the effects and paths of digital economy and labor mobility on industrial structure optimization, based on the construction of industrial structure upgrading index and digital economy comprehensive development level index. The mediation effect model and the panel threshold model are used in the analysis process. The empirical results show that: ① Digital economy can promote the optimization and upgrading of industrial structure by facilitating the mobility of labor. ② Adopting the threshold model, this paper finds that the effect of digital economy on the optimization of industrial structure presents non-linear characteristics. ③ Both digital economy and industrial structure are characterized by heterogeneity in terms of regional distribution. Therefore, we can conclude that in order to realize the goal of high-quality development, it is necessary to actively promote the balanced development of the digital economy. We are supposed to further improve the relevant labor market policies to promote the coordinated development of the industrial structure and the digital economy.