How does digital finance affect the total factor productivity of listed manufacturing companies?

The development of digital finance offers numerous development opportunities, particularly in the accessing of funds for enterprises that traditionally face financial constraints. The economic downturn globally and especially in China requires new policies for stimulating economic growth. The manufacturing industry in particular is apt for this kind of intervention. Although studies have examined these topics, several gaps exist in the literature, specifically in the area of the effect mechanism. Therefore, this study examines the direct relationship between digital finance and the total factor productivity (TFP) of manufacturing enterprises and discusses the mechanism of action between the two from the intermediary and entry/exit perspectives. The findings show that digital finance affects manufacturing TFP positively and significantly. The promotion effect of digital finance is more evident from the enterprise heterogeneity analysis, particularly for small- and medium-sized private and manufacturing enterprises with better growth. The effect mechanism analysis shows that digital finance affects manufacturing TFP positively by reducing financing constraints, improving the level of human capital, and enhancing enterprise risk-taking ability. From the perspective of enterprise entry and exit, the entry of high-productivity enterprises enhances market competition and is an important way that digital finance promotes the improvement of industry TFP.