关键词: 数字鸿沟, 生计韧性, 中介效应, 异质性分析, 青藏高原东北缘

Abstract:

As a defining feature of the information age, the digital divide has emerged as a critical barrier to sustainable rural development, particularly in ecologically vulnerable regions where farmers often face multiple livelihood constraints. Although previous studies have examined the socio-economic consequences of digital inequality, limited attention has been paid to its influence on household livelihood resilience and the mechanisms through which this influence operates. Addressing this gap is of great importance for rural revitalization initiatives and supporting the implementation of Digital China. Drawing on household survey data collected from 428 households on the northeastern edge of the Qinghai-Xizang Plateau. This study investigates the relationship between the digital divide and household livelihood resilience. A combination of benchmark regression models, mediation analysis, and heterogeneity analysis is employed to identify both the direct effect of the digital divide and the pathways through which these effects occur. The findings indicate that the digital divide exerts a significant negative effect on farmers’ livelihood resilience. These results remain robust after a series of sensitivity and validity tests, including propensity score matching, placebo tests, and quantile regression analysis. Further analysis reveals that the digital divide indirectly undermines livelihood resilience through several interconnected mechanisms. Specifically, it restricts access to formal and informal credit resources, increasing obstacles to obtaining employment opportunities and weakening their capacity to manage and utilize land resources effectively. These constraints collectively reduce households’ ability to adapt to risk, respond to external shocks, and maintain sustainable livelihood outcomes. The results also reveal substantial heterogeneity in the effects of the digital divide. The adverse impact is significantly stronger among households located in ecological conservation areas than among those in other regions. Similarly, new-generation farmers experience a greater reduction in livelihood resilience than older-generation farmers, suggesting that digital inequality may produce distinct challenges among age groups despite younger farmers’ generally greater exposure to digital technologies. In addition, households that depend primarily on agricultural production are more vulnerable to the negative consequences of the digital divide than those with more diversified livelihood strategies. By integrating digital inequality into the sustainable livelihood framework, this study enriches existing theoretical understanding of livelihood resilience in the digital era. These findings highlight the importance of targeted digital inclusion policies aimed at improving access to digital resources and strengthening the adaptive capacity of rural households in ecologically sensitive areas.

Key words: digital divide, livelihood resilience, mediating effects, heterogeneity analysis, northeastern Qinghai-Xizang Plateau