Governing Collaborative Technological Innovation for Net-Zero Transition in Micro-Jurisdictions: Evidence from Macao’s New Qualitative Productivity Framework

Against the backdrop of China’s dual-carbon goals and the global push toward net-zero emissions, Macao faces not only an innovation deficit but also the urgent need to reconfigure its economic structure toward green and low-carbon development. This study investigates collaborative innovation mechanisms within Macao’s technological ecosystem through the lens of new qualitative productivity, a paradigm emphasizing structural optimization and systemic innovation capacity. As a micro-jurisdiction within the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), Macao faces challenges due to its tourism-dependent economy and spatial constraints. Employing a qualitative methodology grounded in collaborative governance theory, the research combines theoretical framework construction with empirical case studies of technology enterprises, notably Enterprise B, to analyze stakeholder interactions, resource integration, and institutional dynamics. This study examines how collaborative technological innovation governance in a micro-jurisdiction can underpin net-zero and green supply chain transitions by mobilizing cross-border resources and institutional synergies. Key findings reveal a polycentric governance model involving government, enterprises, academic institutions, and civil society organizations. This model leverages cross-border synergies, platformization, and adaptive recalibration to overcome structural limitations. Results highlight tripartite drivers—policy incentives, market forces, and corporate strategies—that enhance innovation throughput. Despite advancements in institutional coordination, challenges persist, including low enterprise absorption of government funding, talent attrition, and fragmented academic–industrial linkages. The study proposes strategic recalibrations, such as refining policy architectures, strengthening industry–academia–research symbiosis, and optimizing transnational collaboration through Macao’s Lusophone networks. The findings provide governance insights for micro-jurisdictions seeking to align new qualitative productivity with decarbonization, renewable energy integration, and participation in regional green supply chains.