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Digital Transformation Drives Regional Innovation Ecosystem Resilience: A Study Based on the Dynamic QCA Method

Author

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  • Yunan Wang

    (School of Business Administration, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, China)

  • Jing Xiao

    (School of Management, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan 430205, China)

  • Zhi Xu

    (School of Business Administration, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, China)

Abstract

In an era marked by volatility, uncertainty, complexity, and ambiguity, constructing resilient regional innovation ecosystems is identified as a critical strategic imperative for achieving high-quality development and advancing sustainable development goals. Drawing on the Technology–Organization–Environment (TOE) integrative framework, this study examines six antecedent conditions of ecosystem resilience from the perspective of digital transformation: digital infrastructure, digital innovation capacity, digital human capital, digital government governance, digital attention, and digital finance. A sample of 48 prefecture-level cities from the Beijing–Tianjin–Hebei, Yangtze River Delta, and Pearl River Delta urban agglomerations in China between 2018 and 2022 is selected. Through the application of dynamic Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA), the study explores the multiple configurations across temporal and spatial dimensions through which technological, organizational, and environmental factors contribute to enhancing regional innovation ecosystem resilience. The results indicate that ecosystem resilience is jointly driven by multiple interacting factors, and no single condition is found to be necessary. Four distinct causal pathways are identified as sufficient to enhance resilience: (1) a triadic synergy of technology, organization, and environment; (2) a technology-driven, talent-supported configuration; (3) a technology-driven, government-supported configuration; and (4) a dual technology–environment-driven model. While none of the configurations exhibit consistent temporal effects, some are influenced by unobserved factors in specific years. Moreover, cities do not converge on a single dominant configuration when achieving high levels of ecosystem resilience.

Suggested Citation

  • Yunan Wang & Jing Xiao & Zhi Xu, 2025. "Digital Transformation Drives Regional Innovation Ecosystem Resilience: A Study Based on the Dynamic QCA Method," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-31, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:18:p:8148-:d:1746499
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    References listed on IDEAS

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