Mitigating natural resource depletion and enterprise resource risk: How does inclusive digital finance supports green recovery?

The comprehensive study delves into the potential of digital inclusive finance to mitigate the challenge posed by the resource abundance dilemma prevalent in China's resource-based cities. In contrast to previous research focusing solely on the direct causes of the curse, this study pioneers a fresh perspective by underscoring the contribution of digital financial mechanisms to combating the issue. It introduces a monetary strategy to address the curse within a digital framework. Leveraging an econometric model, the study analyzes extensive panel data encompassing 88 resource-based Chinese cities spanning the years 2011–2019 to validate its assertions empirically. The foundational regression model provides tangible evidence of the tangible impacts of the resource curse within these cities, thereby affirming its existence. Remarkable findings underscore that digital inclusive finance possesses the potential to significantly mitigate the repercussions of the resource curse in locales endowed with abundant natural resources. However, this ameliorative effect is not evident in cities lacking such resource abundance. Introducing the PTR model sheds light on the nuanced impacts pertaining to integrating digital access funding across various stages of progression. The outcomes illuminate the substantial influence of low and high a degree of digital incorporation financial intensity on the resource curse phenomenon. This intricate perspective challenges conventional notions of the resource curse, presenting governments with an innovative approach to addressing the issue through strategic allocation of funds to foster digital inclusion. In this context, this study contributes substantially to the discourse on sustainable economic development in regions rich in resources by elucidating the intricate interplay between digital finance and resource curse.