Abstract: Government public data openness is a practical measure to activate the potential of data elements, and has become a key force in promoting the integration of digital and real technologies. Based on the quasi-natural experiment of public data platforms gradually launching in various cities in China, this article empirically tests the impact and mechanism of public data openness on the integration of digital and real technologies in enterprises. The research results indicate that public data openness has a significant promoting effect on the integration of digital and real technologies in enterprises. The mechanism analysis explores how to solve the integration problem. Public data openness promotes the integration of digital and real technologies in enterprises through digital transformation, alleviation of financing constraints, and enhancement of internal controls. At the same time, government digital support policies can play a regulatory role to strengthen the promotion effect. Heterogeneity analysis shows that the policy effect of public data openness is more pronounced in non-state-owned enterprises, cities with higher levels of digital infrastructure, and the manufacturing sector. Further research has found that the integration of digital and real technologies in enterprises driven by public data openness leads to further economic outcomes, namely the ability to improve total factor productivity and unleash greater economic value. This article enriches the research on the economic impact of public data openness and the driving factors of the integration of digital and real technologies, which helps to promote the data-driven innovation development model and provides theoretical support and practical reference for empowering the high-quality development of the real economy with the digital engine.
