This study employs grounded theory methodology and ATLAS.ti software to analyze the evolution of China's digital economy policies (2005–2025), using 19 central government documents. It reveals a three-phase state-led transformation: (1) a foundational phase (2005–2015) institutionalizing e-commerce and infrastructure under a “following development” approach; (2) a transitional phase (2015–2020) pursuing technology-driven growth through initiatives like "Internet Plus" and big data; and (3) a maturation phase (2020–2025) prioritizing systemic governance via landmark legislation (Data Security Law, Personal Information Protection Law), spatial optimization (“East Data, West Computing”), and societal embeddedness ("Smart Cities"). Key findings identify digital governance(code frequency: 218) as the dominant paradigm in Phase III, demonstrating China’s distinctive “regulation-before-innovation” model (Chen, 2023). The analysis confirms the state’s dual role as infrastructure architect(persistent "Policy Support" codes) and market enabler, culminating in an "embedded governance" framework where regulatory and technical implementation converge. Methodologically, this research validates grounded theory’s efficacy in decoding complex policy landscapes, offering theoretical advances in state-capacity digitalization while providing practical insights for global stakeholders navigating China’s digital transformation trajectory.
digital economy, grounded theory, policy evolution,, ATLAS.ti.
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