Digital transformation and urban industrial resilience in the Yangtze River Delta of China

Abstract The digital economy has become a critical driver of sustainable development, yet its role in strengthening industrial resilience remains underexplored. Using panel data for Yangtze River Delta cities from 2011 to 2019, this study examines how digital transformation influences regional industrial resilience. The empirical results show that the digital economy significantly enhances industrial resilience, with industrial diversification functioning as an important mediating mechanism. Heterogeneity analysis reveals stronger effects in peripheral cities, industrializing cities, and in “Broadband China” pilot regions. These findings provide new evidence on how digital development can reinforce industrial sustainability in developing countries such as China.