Analysis of Spatial Differences and Influential Factors in the Development of China's Rural Cultural Industry Based on Cultural Capital Theory and Machine Learning Methods

This study explores how rural cultural industries and cultural capital interact within prefecture-level cities. This study analyzes the conversion mechanisms between cultural capital and industrial development. It offers both theoretical insights and practical data to help distribute rural cultural resources more effectively. The findings also support balanced growth across regional cultural industries. Existing studies have yet to establish a comprehensive framework for assessing rural cultural industry development and its correlation with cultural capital accumulation across China's prefecture-level cities, which has limited policymakers' capacity to formulate measures for the integration of cultural assets and industrial growth at the macro level. This study introduces an analytical framework intended to assess the major variables influencing its influence on rural cultural industry development. It carries out a macro-level assessment of rural cultural industry development across five dimensions: cultural sports, creative design, cultural communication, digital culture, and cultural-tourism integration. Employing the Gradient Boosting Decision Tree (GBDT) model and SHAP method, this research examines how cultural capital influences China's rural cultural industries through impact pathways and regional differentiation mechanisms. The findings show that (1) China's rural cultural industries are undergoing regional changes and structural shifts. There are clear spatial imbalances, with development levels tend to be stronger in eastern regions compared to western ones, with exceptions in certain localized clusters. (2) The five dimensions show different development trends. These include growth driven by resources, strategies relying on platforms, and mixed diffusion patterns. (3) Cultural-tourism integration plays a key role in advancing rural cultural industries. The average obstacle degree reaches 47.29, highlighting its strong influence on the growth of China's rural cultural sector. (4) The impact of rural cultural capital on cultural industry development works through a multi-dimensional coupling mechanism. This mechanism includes three key elements: dominant core resources, structural consumption-driven factors, and foundational institutional support. Objectified capital creates the spatial foundation for development. Effect capital strengthens internal motivation. Institutionalized capital supplies the required policy environment and institutional platform. (5) The five categories of rural cultural industries exhibit clear differences in how cultural capital drives their structures. Sports and tourism industries focus on "spatial resources—consumption scenarios". Creative and communication industries emphasize the "content—experience" linkage mechanism, and Digital cultural industries operate through the "content activation—platform empowerment" approach and institutionalized capital is becoming more important for emerging industries. This study divides China into two groups: eastern/northeastern regions and central/western regions. It examines how rural cultural capital affects cultural industries in each area. Based on these findings, the study suggests specific policy approaches for different regions. In the future, regions need to consider the inherent rules that guide the growth of rural cultural industries. Furthermore, they should examine the fundamental reasons for the differences in development levels. It is important to analyze the strengths and unique attributes of each aspect and support continued progress in rural areas. These insights help address rural challenges and guide revitalization strategy.