Cross-regional collaborative innovation in the era of data openness: a factor mobility perspective

In the era of data openness, cross-regional collaborative innovation (CRCI) has emerged as a pivotal driver of regional economic integration and coordinated development. This paper, from the perspective of factor mobility, examines the impact and mechanisms of China's pilot public data openness policies on CRCI. The findings demonstrate that public data openness significantly promotes inter-city collaborative innovation, primarily by enhancing the flow of innovative talent, R&D capital, and knowledge, with the knowledge flow channel being the most prominent. Further analysis reveals that the positive effects of public data openness are particularly pronounced for firms with higher network positions, collaborations among firms, and high-level substantive collaborations. The heterogeneity analysis shows that the impact of public data openness is more pronounced in regions with lower levels of industrial specialization and collaboration, in China's central and western regions, within urban clusters, and in technology-intensive industries. This study provides strong empirical evidence supporting the role of public data openness policies in fostering CRCI, offering valuable insights for enhancing regional innovation policies and promoting high-quality innovation collaboration.