Measuring the Digitization Level of China’s Grain Industry Chain and Its Spatial–Temporal Evolution
Round 1
Reviewer 1 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThank you for submitting the paper. Please consider the following comments and suggestions to improve the manuscript.
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1. This paper focuses interesting topic- Measuring the Digitization Level of China's Grain Industry Chain and Its Spatial-Temporal Evolution. Abstract – OK , but including some key findings would add more value to the paper. Keywords: OK Introduction – The introduction provides information and includes support from relevant recent literature. The main objectives of the study are clearly presented. |
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2 The results acquired in the present research raise new questions for practical countermeasures to facilitate the digitization level of the grain industry chain in China. The manuscript contributes to research by the index system of the digitization level of the grain industry chain. |
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3. Though complexity is involved the authors have tried to produce a number of positive outcomes. A positive outcome – the research developed proposals to promote the digital technologies and improve the efficiency and environmental sustainability of grain systems , accelerate grain system innovation , increase grain production, and contribute to the goal of a‘zero hunger’ world . Authors ask readers how can China, one of the world's most populous countries, feed one-fifth of the world's population with only 7 percent of the world's arable land and scarce water resources? The digital transformation of the grain industry chain may be the solution to this challenge. However, this study seems important in that it provides detailed data analysis ( data of 30 provinces in China from 2011 to 2022), detailed direction and rationale, and a direction that will lead to more efficient and effective results for future economic policy. Based on the findings of this paper, the 4 policy recommendations are pro- posed to further accelerate the digital transformation of the grain industry chain: Firstly, digital infrastructure needs to be vigorously promoted; Secondly, the ability of digital technology to efficiently connect businesses should be fully utilized to facilitate the development of grain supply chain finance; Thirdly, it is to strengthen the construction of digital talent team to accelerate the digital transformation of the grain industry chain; Fourthly, the digital transformation cohort effect should be utilized to coordinate regional coordinated development. |
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4. The methodology should be adopted (hypotheses, data etc.). Table 2 Please, more clearly explain the district ranking methodology - how the ranking is done? Next- also Table 2 - the last column, where the growth rate is shown and which is measured in percent, the numbers after the decimal point have 4 signs. Why? 1 decimal place is enough. |
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5. The literature cited includes some recent studies. It would be of some interest to include some recent studies of other European countries dealing with the same research question that would upgrade the usefulness of the bibliography for current practitioners. |
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6. Please check again the requirements of the references as outlined by the publisher. |
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7. When improved, the manuscript will be of general interest to the readers. |
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Author Response
Please see the attachment.
Author Response File: 
Author Response.pdf
Reviewer 2 Report
Comments and Suggestions for AuthorsThis manuscript deals with a relevant issue: the digital transformation in agro-industrial systems.
The authors propose an index system of the digitization level of the grain industry chain and analyze its spatio-temporal evolution based on the panel data of 30 provinces in China from 2011 to 2022.
The research issue and objectives are clearly stated.
The analytical framework and the method are pertinent and coherent with the research objectives.
The results and discussions are rich and soundly presented and discussed.
The conclusions and implications are pertinent and supported by the research results.
Nevertheless, some points seem worth revisiting:
1 - In the Abstract it seems pertinent to add the main Policy Implications envisaged from the research results;
2 - In the Abstrac, line 11, it is stated that "The world is stable in terms of food security". On the other hand, in the Introduction, from line 27 to 31, it is stated that "The world's food security faces serious challenges due to factors such as the new crown epidemic, global climate change, and regional conflicts [1]. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) predicts that to feed the world's 9.1 billion people in 2050, total grain production will have to increase by 70 percent [2]." Are´nt there contradictions in these two statements?
3 - In the Introduction, lines 39-40 it is stated that "In 2022, the scale of China's digital economy will exceed 50 trillion yuan for the first time, accounting for 41.5% of GDP". Considering that we are in 2024, it seems pertinent to update this data/information.
4 - In Section 2.1.2 (Indicator construction), from line 166 to line 171, the authors propose the index system of digitization level of grain industry chain with five dimensions: digital infrastructure, digital technology support, digital capital investment, digital talent team and digitization of grain industry chain links" and detailled in Table 1. It seems pertinent to justify/support the choice of these five dimensions (cite and reference the explored literature).
5 - It seems that Section 2.4 (Results and analyses of digitization measurement of China's grain industry chain) and Table 2 could be moved to Section 3 (Regional spatial-temporal differences in the level of digitization of China's grain industry chain).
6 - It seems pertienent to change the colors of Figure 2 and Figure 3. The different shades of black are difficult to be distinguished.
Author Response
Please see the attachment.
Author Response File: Author Response.pdf
