Domestic value chain, digital finance and the quality of firm's export products

Chinese firms have strategically positioned themselves within the global value chain by leveraging low-cost labor to achieve substantial growth in exports and economic development. This study presents a theoretical model that offers valuable insights into how embedding in domestic value chains influences the quality of firms' export products. Based on this framework, the paper empirically examines the impact of domestic value chain embedding on export product quality at the micro-firm level. The findings indicate that domestic value chain embedding has a significant positive effect on export product quality. Further analysis reveals that this impact operates through mechanisms through increased efficiency in fixed asset investment and productivity. Heterogeneity tests show that the effects of domestic value chain embedding are more pronounced in eastern regions, labor-intensive industries, firms with fewer financial constraints, and firms with lower initial product quality. Moreover, the results highlight that global and domestic value chains are complementary, rather than substitutive, in promoting export product quality. Finally, the study finds that digital finance positively moderates the relationship between domestic value chain embedding and export product quality.