The Impact of “Smart City” Pilot Construction on China’s Export Product Quality

Based on the double difference (DID) method, this study examines the impact of "smart city" pilot policies on the quality of export products in Chinese cities. Using data from three batches of smart city pilot cities from 2012 to 2014, the results show that smart city construction significantly improves the quality of export products in Chinese cities. It is found that smart city construction achieves a positive impact on export product quality through the paths of promoting technological innovation, upgrading informatization and optimizing resource allocation. In addition, the results of the heterogeneity analysis show that this policy effect is more significant in cities with a developed economy and a higher degree of openness to the outside world. The research in this paper provides empirical support for the formulation of smart city policies and offers policy suggestions for enhancing the export competitiveness of cities.