IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v17y2025i11p4880-d1664731.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Industrial Green Innovation Efficiency: Spatial Patterns, Evolution, and Convergence in the Yangtze River Economic Belt

Author

Listed:
  • Mengchao Yao

    (School of Economics and Management, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, China)

  • Jingjing Pan

    (School of Economics and Management, Xinjiang University, Urumqi 830046, China)

Abstract

This study examines the relationship between technological innovation and economic development in the Yangtze River economic belt context. Specifically, the study employs the SBM-GML model to assess the efficiency of industrial green technology innovation across 110 prefecture-level cities between 2006 and 2022. The study also employs exploratory spatial data analysis (ESDA) and the Spatio-temporal transition method to analyze the spatial evolution pattern of the GML index of industrial green technology innovation. In addition, the study investigates the convergence mechanism using absolute and conditional β convergence models. The findings reveal that the GML index of industrial green technology innovation in the Yangtze River Economic Belt exhibits an upward trend, and technological progress is a key driver. Moreover, the spatial and temporal transition of the GML index of industrial green technology innovation shows substantial spatial dependence and solid spatial stability. The study also finds regional heterogeneity in the absolute and conditional β convergence characteristics and their influencing factors. Considering regional differences, the results suggest differentiated policy recommendations to promote the coordinated development of industrial green technological innovation efficiency in the Yangtze River Economic Belt. The study contributes to the literature on the relationship between technological innovation and economic development, highlighting the importance of spatial considerations and regional heterogeneity in promoting sustainable economic growth.

Suggested Citation

  • Mengchao Yao & Jingjing Pan, 2025. "Industrial Green Innovation Efficiency: Spatial Patterns, Evolution, and Convergence in the Yangtze River Economic Belt," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(11), pages 1-21, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:11:p:4880-:d:1664731
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/11/4880/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/11/4880/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Du, Gang & Yu, Meng & Sun, Chuanwang & Han, Zhao, 2021. "Green innovation effect of emission trading policy on pilot areas and neighboring areas: An analysis based on the spatial econometric model," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 156(C).
    2. Tone, Kaoru & Toloo, Mehdi & Izadikhah, Mohammad, 2020. "A modified slacks-based measure of efficiency in data envelopment analysis," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 287(2), pages 560-571.
    3. Luc Anselin & Attila Varga & Zoltan Acs, 2008. "Local Geographic Spillovers Between University Research and High Technology Innovations," Chapters, in: Entrepreneurship, Growth and Public Policy, chapter 9, pages 95-121, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    4. Carlino, Gerald A. & Mills, Leonard, 1996. "Testing neoclassical convergence in regional incomes and earnings," Regional Science and Urban Economics, Elsevier, vol. 26(6), pages 565-590, December.
    5. Olatunji Abdul Shobande & Joseph Onuche Enemona, 2021. "A Multivariate VAR Model for Evaluating Sustainable Finance and Natural Resource Curse in West Africa: Evidence from Nigeria and Ghana," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-15, March.
    6. Ana Paula Faria & Natália Barbosa & Joana Bastos, 2020. "Portuguese regional innovation systems efficiency in the European Union context," European Planning Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 28(8), pages 1599-1618, August.
    7. Shobande, Olatunji A. & Ogbeifun, Lawrence & Tiwari, Aviral Kumar, 2024. "Extricating the impacts of emissions trading system and energy transition on carbon intensity," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 357(C).
    8. Olatunji A. Shobande & Simplice A. Asongu, 2021. "Financial Development, Human Capital Development and Climate Change in East and Southern Africa," Working Papers of the African Governance and Development Institute. 21/042, African Governance and Development Institute..
    9. Sun, Lu & Liu, Wenjing & Li, Zhaoling & Cai, Bofeng & Fujii, Minoru & Luo, Xiao & Chen, Wei & Geng, Yong & Fujita, Tsuyoshi & Le, Yiping, 2021. "Spatial and structural characteristics of CO2 emissions in East Asian megacities and its indication for low-carbon city development," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 284(C).
    10. Saumyaranjan Sahoo & Anil Kumar & Arvind Upadhyay, 2023. "How do green knowledge management and green technology innovation impact corporate environmental performance? Understanding the role of green knowledge acquisition," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 32(1), pages 551-569, January.
    11. Maria Abreu & Henri L. F. de Groot & Raymond J. G. M. Florax, 2005. "A Meta‐Analysis of β‐Convergence: the Legendary 2%," Journal of Economic Surveys, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 19(3), pages 389-420, July.
    12. Du, Kerui & Cheng, Yuanyuan & Yao, Xin, 2021. "Environmental regulation, green technology innovation, and industrial structure upgrading: The road to the green transformation of Chinese cities," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 98(C).
    13. Zeng, Juying & Škare, Marinko & Lafont, Juan, 2021. "The co-integration identification of green innovation efficiency in Yangtze River Delta region," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 134(C), pages 252-262.
    14. Zhu, Lin & Luo, Jian & Dong, Qingli & Zhao, Yang & Wang, Yunyue & Wang, Yong, 2021. "Green technology innovation efficiency of energy-intensive industries in China from the perspective of shared resources: Dynamic change and improvement path," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 170(C).
    15. Wang, Qian & Ren, Shuming, 2022. "Evaluation of green technology innovation efficiency in a regional context: A dynamic network slacks-based measuring approach," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 182(C).
    16. Guannan Chen & Zhenhuang Yang & Shaohui Chen, 2020. "Measurement and Convergence Analysis of Inclusive Green Growth in the Yangtze River Economic Belt Cities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-17, March.
    17. Miao, Cheng-lin & Duan, Meng-meng & Zuo, Yang & Wu, Xin-yu, 2021. "Spatial heterogeneity and evolution trend of regional green innovation efficiency--an empirical study based on panel data of industrial enterprises in China's provinces," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 156(C).
    18. Renjie Zhang & Hsingwei Tai & Kuo-Tai Cheng & Zhengxu Cao & Huizhong Dong & Junjie Hou, 2021. "Analysis on Evolution Characteristics and Dynamic Mechanism of Urban Green Innovation Network: A Case Study of Yangtze River Economic Belt," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(1), pages 1-19, December.
    19. Zhang, Wei & Li, Guoxiang & Guo, Fanyong, 2022. "Does carbon emissions trading promote green technology innovation in China?," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 315(C).
    20. Lv, Chengchao & Shao, Changhua & Lee, Chien-Chiang, 2021. "Green technology innovation and financial development: Do environmental regulation and innovation output matter?," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 98(C).
    21. Luc Anselin & Raymond J. G. M. Florax & Sergio J. Rey, 2004. "Econometrics for Spatial Models: Recent Advances," Advances in Spatial Science, in: Luc Anselin & Raymond J. G. M. Florax & Sergio J. Rey (ed.), Advances in Spatial Econometrics, chapter 1, pages 1-25, Springer.
    22. Luo, Yusen & Lu, Zhengnan & Wu, Chao, 2023. "Can internet development accelerate the green innovation efficiency convergence: Evidence from China," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 189(C).
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Luo, Yusen & Lu, Zhengnan & Wu, Chao, 2023. "Can internet development accelerate the green innovation efficiency convergence: Evidence from China," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 189(C).
    2. Meng-Chao Yao & Ren-Jie Zhang & Hui-Zhong Dong, 2025. "Analysis of the Spatiotemporal Convergence Effect and Influencing Factors of Industrial Green Technology Innovation Efficiency in the Yangtze River Economic Belt in China," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 16(2), pages 9430-9465, June.
    3. Mengchao Yao & Ziqi Li & Yunfei Wang, 2023. "Features of Industrial Green Technology Innovation in the Yangtze River Economic Belt of China Based on Spatial Correlation Network," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-21, March.
    4. Wang, Ke-Liang & Sun, Ting-Ting & Xu, Ru-Yu & Miao, Zhuang & Cheng, Yun-He, 2022. "How does internet development promote urban green innovation efficiency? Evidence from China," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 184(C).
    5. Xu, Deyi & Abbas, Shah & Rafique, Kalsoom & Ali, Najabat, 2023. "The race to net-zero emissions: Can green technological innovation and environmental regulation be the potential pathway to net-zero emissions?," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).
    6. Huang, Xinpeng & Meng, Fanshi, 2023. "Digital finance mitigation of ' resource curse ' effect: Evidence from resource-based cities in China," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 83(C).
    7. Xie, Ronghui & Teo, Thompson S.H., 2022. "Green technology innovation, environmental externality, and the cleaner upgrading of industrial structure in China — Considering the moderating effect of environmental regulation," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 184(C).
    8. Guangming Yang & Siyi Cheng & Qingqing Gui & Xinlan Chen, 2022. "The Coupling and Coordination Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Green Innovation Efficiency (GIE) and Economic Development Levels in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(21), pages 1-20, October.
    9. Haoqiang Yuan & Haiyan Luan & Xi Wang, 2024. "The Impact of ESG Rating Events on Corporate Green Technology Innovation under Sustainable Development: Perspectives Based on Informal Environmental Regulation of Social Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-26, September.
    10. Li, Haichao & Su, Yuqi & Ding, Chante Jian & Tian, Gary Gang & Wu, Zhan, 2024. "Unveiling the green innovation paradox: Exploring the impact of carbon emission reduction on corporate green technology innovation," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 207(C).
    11. Weisong Mi & Kaixu Zhao & Pei Zhang, 2022. "Spatio-Temporal Evolution and Driving Mechanism of Green Innovation in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-27, April.
    12. Xiaoqi Li & Dingfei Guo & Chao Feng, 2022. "The Carbon Emissions Trading Policy of China: Does It Really Promote the Enterprises’ Green Technology Innovations?," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-15, November.
    13. Biao Hu & Kai Yuan & Tingyun Niu & Liang Zhang & Yuqiong Guan, 2022. "Study on the Spatial and Temporal Evolution Patterns of Green Innovation Efficiency and Driving Factors in Three Major Urban Agglomerations in China—Based on the Perspective of Economic Geography," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-28, July.
    14. Qi, Xiulin & Wu, Zhifang & Xu, Jinqing & Shan, Biaoan, 2023. "Environmental justice and green innovation: A quasi-natural experiment based on the establishment of environmental courts in China," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 205(C).
    15. Song Wang & Yuyao Cao & Yifan Wang & Chaoquan Wang, 2024. "The Impact of Innovative and Low-Carbon Pilot Cities on Green Innovation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-27, August.
    16. Wang, Qian & Ren, Shuming, 2022. "Evaluation of green technology innovation efficiency in a regional context: A dynamic network slacks-based measuring approach," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 182(C).
    17. Mengchao Yao & Jinjun Duan & Qingsong Wang, 2022. "Spatial and Temporal Evolution Analysis of Industrial Green Technology Innovation Efficiency in the Yangtze River Economic Belt," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(11), pages 1-20, May.
    18. Shihong Zeng & Gen Li & Shaomin Wu & Zhanfeng Dong, 2022. "The Impact of Green Technology Innovation on Carbon Emissions in the Context of Carbon Neutrality in China: Evidence from Spatial Spillover and Nonlinear Effect Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(2), pages 1-25, January.
    19. Wang, Hai-Jie & Zheng, Mei-Qi & Yin, Hua-Tang & Chang, Chun-Ping, 2024. "Green innovation, industrial structure and urban eco-efficiency in Chinese cities," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 82(C), pages 1011-1024.
    20. Zhou, Fengxiu & Wang, Xiaoyu, 2022. "The carbon emissions trading scheme and green technology innovation in China: A new structural economics perspective," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 365-381.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:11:p:4880-:d:1664731. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.