Research on the mechanism of digital transformation enabling the high-quality development of feed enterprises

To elucidate the effects and mechanisms of digital transformation on the high-quality development of feed enterprises, this study utilizes data from feed industry companies and enterprises listed on the National Equities Exchange and Quotations from 2015 to 2022. Using total factor productivity (TFP) as a proxy variable for the high-quality development of feed enterprises, this study explored the effects and mechanisms of digital transformation on TFP. This study reveals the following: 1) digital transformation enhances the TFP of feed enterprises, 2) this effect is more pronounced in large-scale feed enterprises and those located in provinces with stronger intellectual property protection, and 3) digital transformation enhances the TFP of feed enterprises through three mediating mechanisms: technology empowerment, efficiency empowerment, and labor empowerment. This study offers a theoretical framework for feed enterprises seeking to leverage digital transformation for high-quality development in the digital economy era. Future research should broaden the scope to offer more effective decision-making support for feed enterprises of diverse natures to maximize the empowering effects of digital transformation.