A multi-scalar nested framework for the influencer economy in China: Implications for regional and urban development

IF 3.1 2区社会学 Q1 GEOGRAPHY

Geoforum Pub Date : 2025-09-29 DOI:10.1016/j.geoforum.2025.104420

Junfeng Yin, Bo Niu

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

The rapid rise of the influencer economy (IE) has become a key driver of regional and urban development, yet existing studies remain focused on individual influencers and overlook its multi-scalar complexity. This paper develops a multi-scalar analytical framework, using China as a case, to examine how attention is mobilized and converted into economic value. The study shows that IE in China has evolved into a nested system involving individual influencers, municipal authorities, and authoritative media agencies. Their interactions generate cross-scalar flows of attention and capital that reshape local industries, city branding, and regional trajectories. Crucially, China’s IE is embedded in a state-led model where market forces and governance logic intersect, creating both opportunities and risks. While IE offers new pathways for growth and governance innovation, it also exposes cities and regions to volatility and resource misallocation. This study extends the conceptual boundaries of IE and enriches understanding of digital capitalism in regional transformation.

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中国网红经济的多尺度嵌套框架：对区域和城市发展的启示

网红经济（IE）的迅速崛起已成为区域和城市发展的关键驱动力，但现有的研究仍然集中在个人网红上，忽视了其多尺度复杂性。本文以中国为例，构建了一个多尺度分析框架，考察注意力是如何被调动并转化为经济价值的。研究表明，IE在中国已经演变成一个涉及个人影响者、市政当局和权威媒体机构的嵌套系统。它们的相互作用产生了注意力和资本的跨标量流动，重塑了当地产业、城市品牌和区域轨迹。至关重要的是，中国的IE植根于国家主导的模式，市场力量和治理逻辑相互交织，既创造了机遇，也带来了风险。虽然工业工业为增长和治理创新提供了新的途径，但它也使城市和地区面临波动和资源配置不当的风险。本研究拓展了IE的概念边界，丰富了对区域转型中的数字资本主义的理解。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Geoforum GEOGRAPHY-

CiteScore

7.30

自引率

5.70%

发文量

201

期刊介绍： Geoforum is an international, inter-disciplinary journal, global in outlook, and integrative in approach. The broad focus of Geoforum is the organisation of economic, political, social and environmental systems through space and over time. Areas of study range from the analysis of the global political economy and environment, through national systems of regulation and governance, to urban and regional development, local economic and urban planning and resources management. The journal also includes a Critical Review section which features critical assessments of research in all the above areas.