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Multifactor Configurational Pathways Driving the Eco-Efficiency of Cultivated Land Utilization in China: A Dynamic Panel QCA

Author

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  • Zihao Xu

    (College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Jialong Duan

    (Research Institute of Forestry Policy and Information, Chinese Academy of Forestry, Beijing 100091, China
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Lei Zhan

    (College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China)

  • Chuanmin Yan

    (College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China)

  • Zhigang Huang

    (College of Agriculture, Guangxi University, Nanning 530004, China)

Abstract

Cultivated land is fundamental to agricultural production, and the eco-efficiency of cultivated land utilization is widely acknowledged as a crucial indicator for assessing rational land use. Accordingly, this study applies a Super-SBM model with undesirable outputs to evaluate the eco-efficiency of cultivated land utilization (ECLU) across 31 provinces in China utilizing provincial panel data from 2005 to 2023 and further employs dynamic fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis to investigate, across spatial and temporal dimensions, how government policy, agricultural technology, socioeconomic conditions, and natural conditions interact to achieve a high ECLU and to elucidate the diverse configurational pathways through which these factors converge to deliver a high ECLU. Our findings demonstrate that the ECLU originates from the joint influence of several factors, and no single factor alone can provide a high level of eco-efficiency. In particular, a high GDP per capita and strong government agricultural expenditure intensity are pivotal for achieving a high ECLU, whereas a low GDP per capita and weak government agricultural expenditure intensity are the core conditions associated with poor eco-efficiency outcomes. We identify three distinct driving pathways that foster a high ECLU: the Economy–Technology–Government Synergistic Pathway, Nature–Economy Dual-Driver Pathway, and Government-Supported Land–Economy Pathway. Between-configuration consistency (BECONS) exhibits no significant temporal effect; however, a constellation of external factors triggered a pronounced, collective reduction in configurational consistency from 2008 to 2014. Regional analysis reveals pronounced heterogeneity: Spatially, the Economy–Technology–Government Synergistic Pathway is concentrated in China’s central and eastern provinces, the Nature–Economy Dual-Driver Pathway clusters mainly in the central belt, and the Government-Supported Land–Economy Pathway predominates in the west.

Suggested Citation

  • Zihao Xu & Jialong Duan & Lei Zhan & Chuanmin Yan & Zhigang Huang, 2025. "Multifactor Configurational Pathways Driving the Eco-Efficiency of Cultivated Land Utilization in China: A Dynamic Panel QCA," Land, MDPI, vol. 14(8), pages 1-27, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jlands:v:14:y:2025:i:8:p:1549-:d:1711834
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