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 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.