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Research on the Improvement Path of Regional Green Technology Innovation Efficiency in China Based on fsQCA Method

Author

Listed:
  • Xiaoyu Qu

    (School of Management, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian 116034, China)

  • Xutian Qin

    (School of Management, Dalian Polytechnic University, Dalian 116034, China)

  • Haichen Hu

    (School of Economics and Management, Shihezi University, Shihezi 832003, China)

Abstract

Improvements in green technology innovation efficiency is the core factor to promote to shape new advantages in resource-saving and environmental friendliness under the new pattern of double-cycle development. It is also the main driving force needed to establish a high-quality development model of an efficient and sustainable economy. Taking 30 provinces of China as case samples, this paper establishes the appraisal system of green technology innovation efficiency. The first step is using the three-stage DEA model to measure green technology innovation efficiency. Then, according to the configuration perspective, the paper uses fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to explore multiple paths for promoting green technology innovation efficiency. The findings are as follows: (1) A single factor of environmental support or technology supply cannot effectively stimulate the improvement of green technology innovation efficiency. Therefore, the impacting factors must be matched to jointly improve green technology innovation efficiency. (2) There are three configuration paths for high green technology innovation efficiency. Namely, they are the driven by economic environment and environmental regulation type; the driven by industrial structure and supply of finance type; and the driven by industrial structure, supply of finance, and supply of manpower type. (3) The paths to generate non-high green technology innovation efficiency can be summarized as one. The shortage of human resources and a poor economic environment are the main reasons for the inhibition of improvements in green technology innovation efficiency; additionally, the configuration of high and non-high green technology innovation efficiency is asymmetrical. On the one hand, our results are helpful for the study of the efficiency of regional green technology innovation at the provincial level. On the other hand, the results also provide practical solutions and a theoretical basis for provinces to promote regional green technology innovation efficiency under the new economic normal.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiaoyu Qu & Xutian Qin & Haichen Hu, 2023. "Research on the Improvement Path of Regional Green Technology Innovation Efficiency in China Based on fsQCA Method," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-16, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:4:p:3190-:d:1063280
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Liu, Yunqiang & Zhu, Jialing & Li, Eldon Y. & Meng, Zhiyi & Song, Yan, 2020. "Environmental regulation, green technological innovation, and eco-efficiency: The case of Yangtze river economic belt in China," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 155(C).
    2. Ahmer Bilal & Xiaoping Li & Nanli Zhu & Ridhima Sharma & Atif Jahanger, 2021. "Green Technology Innovation, Globalization, and CO 2 Emissions: Recent Insights from the OBOR Economies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-17, December.
    3. Shi Yin & Nan Zhang & Baizhou Li, 2020. "Improving the Effectiveness of Multi-Agent Cooperation for Green Manufacturing in China: A Theoretical Framework to Measure the Performance of Green Technology Innovation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(9), pages 1-27, May.
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    Cited by:

    1. Wen Li & Jiaxin Zhang & Hanyu Zhu & Ting Hao & Lei Mei & Yi Su, 2024. "Green Marketing and the Path to Realizing Local Sustainable Development—Joint Dynamic Analysis of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and Fuzzy Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) Based on China’s Provincial Panel Data," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-27, May.
    2. Aili Zhang & Jiayi Cui, 2025. "The Impact of Environmental Regulation on Green Technology Innovation: Evidence from China's Core Economic Regions," Advances in Management and Applied Economics, SCIENPRESS Ltd, vol. 15(6), pages 1-11.
    3. Xiu Liu & Zhuo He & Zixin Deng & Sandeep Poddar, 2024. "Analysis of Spatiotemporal Disparities and Spatial Spillover Effect of a Low-Carbon Economy in Chinese Provinces Under Green Technology Innovation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-19, October.
    4. Kun Hu & Wanhua Kuang & Quande Qin, 2025. "Advancing Resource Efficiency Through Renewable Energy, Green Innovations, and Education: Lessons from G20 Economies," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 16(3), pages 11673-11696, September.
    5. Yan Yu & Wenjie Hu & Chunyu Dong & Xiao Gu & Bojan Obrenovic, 2023. "E-Commerce Development and Green Technology Innovation: Impact Mechanism and the Spatial Spillover Effect," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(17), pages 1-21, August.

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