Driving total factor productivity: The spillover effect of digitalization in the new energy supply chain

Digitalization assumes a crucial role in augmenting productivity within the new energy sector. However, whether this impelling effect can permeate the entire supply chain remains to be discussed. This study delves into the spillover effect of customers' digitalization on suppliers' total factor productivity (TFP), endeavoring to explicate the sources of competitive advantage in China's new energy industry from a supply chain perspective. Based on Chinese new energy enterprises from 2006 to 2022, we find that: (1) Customers' digitalization significantly impels suppliers' TFP, with variations depending on market influence. (2) Mechanism tests reveal that supply chain efficiency represents a pivotal channel, especially manifested in three successive aspects: consolidating, expanding, and deepening vertical connections in the supply chain. (3) Customers' digitalization impels the growth of new energy suppliers' TFP, while new energy enterprises do not display the spillover effect on their suppliers. This study provides targeted policy implications for policymakers to guide the growth of supply chain efficiency and TFP.