Abstract: 【Purpose/significance】This study analyzes the impact mechanism of government data openness on the marketization of data elements from a configurational perspective. The aim is to expand the theoretical framework of data element marketization and provide practical insights for government data openness【. Method/process】Combining the TOE framework with fsQCA, this research examines 27 provinces in China to identify both sufficient and necessary causal conditions, exploring the key factors and pathways of government data openness affecting the marketization of data elements.【Result/conclusion】The findings reveal that there is no single necessary condition for the marketization of data elements. The identified configurational paths can be categorized into four types: comprehensive coordination with multi-factor collaborative driving, basic capability driving under efficient management, service optimization and policy collaboration-driven, and resource advantage-driven with technological support.【Innovation/limitation】This study unveils the multi-factor collaborative mechanism behind the marketization of data elements from the perspective of government data openness and deepens the research using fsQCA. Limitations include the focus on macro and meso levels, with insufficient exploration of micro fac⁃ tors, and the lack of consideration of dynamic trajectories and a holistic view of influencing factors.