The rapid evolution of digital technologies over the past decades has induced profound economic and social transformations. Economic geography faces the ongoing challenge of assimilating these changes into existing theories that elucidate the dynamics of the global economy. In response, we present the Global Digital Networks (GDN) framework, drawing inspiration from established analytical instruments like Global Production Networks (GPN) and Global Financial Networks (GFN). GDN centres on three key economic materialities—people, things, and places—intertwined with territorially grounded practices of data generation and enhancement. We identify four enhancement types—singularisation, association, centralisation and fractionalisation—driving a cyclical process shaping complex networks across territories. Governance structures, encompassing national regulations, platform systems, and firm governance, play a pivotal role. The GDN cycle, exemplified through diverse territorial scenarios, underscores the intricate interplay of data generation, enhancement and governance structures in delineating global economic networks.

中文翻译：

---

 全球数字网络


过去几十年来，数字技术的快速发展引发了深刻的经济和社会变革。经济地理学面临着将这些变化吸收到阐明全球经济动态的现有理论中的持续挑战。作为回应，我们提出了全球数字网络 （GDN） 框架，该框架从全球生产网络 （GPN） 和全球金融网络 （GFN） 等成熟的分析工具中汲取灵感。GDN 以三个关键的经济重要性为中心——人、事物和地点——与基于地域的数据生成和增强实践交织在一起。我们确定了四种增强类型——单一化、关联化、集中化和碎片化——驱动一个周期性过程，塑造跨地区的复杂网络。治理结构（包括国家法规、平台系统和公司治理）发挥着关键作用。GDN 周期以不同的地域情景为例，强调了数据生成、增强和治理结构在划定全球经济网络方面错综复杂的相互作用。