Regional innovation ecosystems play a crucial role in advancing national innovation capacity. However, the question of how to foster sustained collaborative innovation among diverse actors within these ecosystems under digitalization remains underexplored. This study aims to investigate the dynamic mechanisms and key factors influencing synergistic innovation behavior among multiple stakeholders in digitally enabled regional innovation ecosystems. Drawing on evolutionary game theory, we develop a tripartite game model involving core enterprises, complementary parties, and the government. A simulation analysis is conducted using the Zhongguancun Science and Technology Park as a case context to examine the evolutionary trajectories of cooperation strategies. The results indicate that: (1) increasing the intensity of digital investment by innovation agents significantly enhances the stability and sustainability of the regional innovation ecosystem; (2) core enterprises can stimulate cooperative innovation by providing incentives to complementary parties in the digital context; (3) innovation actors exhibit substantial positive spillover effects, facilitating the circulation and integration of digital resources and data elements; and (4) government subsidies and penalties positively influence system stability and accelerate the convergence of evolutionary dynamics. By integrating a digital perspective into the analysis of regional innovation ecosystems, this study contributes to theoretical discussions on innovation cooperation and provides practical insights for local governments seeking to improve synergistic mechanisms within digital innovation ecosystems. The findings also offer strategic references for promoting the sustainable development of regional innovation systems under digitalization.

ABSTRACT Public research institutes (PRIs) and higher education institutions (HEIs) are important actors in knowledge production in regional innovation systems (RIS), influencing network dynamics and inventions. While their impact on RIS has been widely studied, less attention has been paid to how different types of research affect RIS depending on regional technological characteristics. We therefore analyse the effects of German PRIs and HEIs on patent collaborations, centrality, invention quality and regional technological paths using a spatial vector autoregressive (spVAR) model. Our results show that basic research generates substantial positive regional effects in the long run and is particularly conducive to introducing new technologies. Moreover, mechanical engineering, alongside research and development (R&D)-intensive fields, strongly boosts the effects of PRIs and HEIs.

ABSTRACT Innovation and research and development (R&D) investments are central to regional economic growth. Yet, in the UK, these activities are heavily concentrated in the Greater South East, which receives the majority of public and private R&D spending. This imbalance has contributed to the UK’s status as one of the most regionally unequal developed economies. Redistribution of public R&D has been proposed as a key solution, but it also raises questions about whether shifting investment can reduce disparities without undermining national performance. Existing empirical studies offer limited insight into how spatial redistribution affects regional inequalities, particularly when accounting for spillovers and absorptive capacity. This paper fills the gap by using the multi-regional input–output (MRIO) model SEIM-UK (socio-economic impact model for the UK). The findings reveal that the Greater South East (GSE) experiences disproportionately high benefits due to strong demand multipliers and spillover effects, rather than through productivity gains. Furthermore, absorptive capacity plays a significant role in moderating the relationship between R&D spending and regional outcomes, disproportionately limiting growth in lagging regions. The analysis suggests that an equitable redistribution of R&D investments could promote balanced regional growth without hindering the performance of high-achieving areas like London and the South East. Therefore, enhancing regional innovation systems and addressing constraints in absorptive capacity are essential policy measures to achieve this goal.

ABSTRACT From a regional ecosystem perspective, this study examines how innovation ecosystems influence the innovation capability of China’s specialised, refined, distinctive, and innovative (SRDI) firms. Using panel data on SRDI firms, we adopt a mixed-methods design that combines fixed-effects regression with fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA). The econometric results indicate that a well-developed regional innovation ecosystem significantly increases firms’ innovation capability, primarily by enhancing their risk-taking capacity and promoting industrial agglomeration. The heterogeneity tests reveal stronger effects for non-state-owned firms, firms with greater financial flexibility, those operating in highly competitive industries, and firms located in digitally advanced regions than for their respective counterparts. Complementing these linear findings, fsQCA identifies three equifinal configurations that are sufficient for high membership in the set of high innovation capability. Overall, this study fills a micro-level empirical gap in understanding how regional ecosystems influence SRDI firms innovation and clarifies the complex pathways through which these ecosystems catalyse firm-level creativity by integrating both linear and non-linear analyses.

This paper explores how regional innovation ecosystems support the growth of technology startups, using Hangzhou's "Six Little Dragons" as a case study. Drawing on innovation ecosystem theory, regional innovation systems, and new trade theory, the study analyzes how talent, capital, and industrial coordination jointly shape firm development. The paper identifies three key mechanisms: sustained talent attraction and knowledge spillovers anchored in universities and research institutions; a full-lifecycle financial support system characterized by a "patient government" and patient capital that mitigates early-stage market failures; and industrial chain coordination combined with scenario-based innovation that accelerates technology validation and market entry. The findings suggest that the success of Hangzhou's technology firms stems from systematic ecosystem interactions rather than isolated firm-level advantages, offering policy-relevant insights for enhancing regional innovation capacity in other cities.

In this article, the author attempts to assess selected components of social capital in the context of stimulating social innovation in peripheral areas. The Middle Pomerania region serves as an empirical example. It is the region that is specific in terms of history and structure, which, despite the lack of formal delimitation in the administrative division, exhibits relative economic and social cohesion, while at the same time displaying high intra-regional diversity. The main objective of the article is to diagnose and assess the innovation potential of local communities operating within social organisations, which are main players in the creation of a regional innovation system. The results of the empirical research indicate that the peripherality of the region, although considered rather a dissimulating feature, can in itself be a catalyst for local activity. The inhabitants declare that the Middle Pomerania region, although peripheral, has sufficient social capital resources to create changes and social innovation. In her conclusions, the author suggests constant monitoring of the social capital in peripheral regions and encourages the building of relationships in the region through, among other things, supporting the activities of social organisations. These organisations can and should become stimulators of development for marginalised regions.

Abstract Since a few years, the international economic system has been experiencing the risk of growing fragmentation and uncertainty. However, research on Regional Innovation Systems (RIS) has yet to comprehensively engage with this phenomenon, despite its (spatial) significance. The paper contributes to addressing this gap, in particular by exploring the potential implications for RIS arising from the decline, disruption or reconfiguration of international knowledge flows associated with economic de‐globalisation. The study seeks to define a theoretical approach grounded in economic geography to assess this trend. It applies such perspective to three types of RIS (metropolitan, old industrial and peripheral) across five analytical dimensions that capture the structural and relational factors shaping RIS exposure and resilience to de‐globalisation. The discussion highlights that, in the face of knowledge and technological disruptions or shifts arising from international instability, metropolitan RIS may leverage their diversified knowledge bases, dense institutional frameworks and strong global connectivity to successfully reconfigure external linkages; old industrial RIS may follow mixed trajectories, with the risk of deepening economic and policy lock‐ins; while peripheral RIS, due to their reliance on external knowledge sources and limited endogenous innovation capacity, emerge as the most vulnerable.

Building and managing university-external stakeholder relations in regional innovation ecosystems (RIE) has been a challenge for European higher education institutions. How does a Central Eastern European mid-range university sustain such relations, and what factors promote and hinder their effective operation? Using multimethod qualitative research and the Regional Innovation Impact model, our data shed light on the operating conditions of the ’RII Delivery Space’, confirming such promoting factors as supply-demand match, actors’ relevant resources, openness and trust between key people, esp. alumni, while low proactivity, divergent interests, distrust among RIE actors, shortage of personnel, a different educational profile and path dependency impede collaborations. This questions the effectiveness of university contributions to the regional innovation ecosystem, despite a well-institutionalised partner management system with strong personal relations, and underlines meaningful communication and ongoing trust-building as key promoting factors. The findings endorse the regional innovation paradox in Europe, divergent RIE actor interests, and the time and capacity barriers listed in the European and Central Eastern European higher education literature. However, the lack of proactivity and the need for wider communication among RIE actors are specific to this case.

Prioritizing the development of regional innovation ecosystems (RIE) is essential for advancing China’s innovation-driven strategy. This study investigates how combinations of innovation elements, namely resources, services, achievements, and environment, affect regional innovation performance. Drawing on both innovation value-chain and ecosystem perspectives, we analyze the data from 31 Chinese provinces using fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) and artificial neural networks (ANN). Our findings identify five distinct configurations that lead to high innovation performance and three that result in low or medium performance. High performance configurations include: resource achievement dual drive, outcome driven, and resource driven. Low performance configurations include talent shortage type, service deficiency type, and resource service dual weakness type. These results illustrate the principle of equifinality, indicating that different regions can achieve similar innovation outcomes through different pathways, and they underscore both the substitutability of certain elements and the synergy among them. Theoretically, the study advances configurational approaches in innovation research by integrating ecological and value-chain perspectives. Practically, it provides differentiated policy insights, suggesting that regions should tailor their innovation strategies to leverage specific strengths and thereby foster high-performance outcomes. First published online 4 March 2026

OVERVIEW: The fourth-generation university (4GU) represents a fundamental shift in how universities engage with innovation ecosystems. While entrepreneurial universities emphasize commercialization and direct economic engagement, 4GUs explicitly organize their teaching, research, and valorization activities around societal transformation missions while orchestrating regional innovation ecosystems. For R&D managers, this transition creates new strategic opportunities: Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) gain access to research infrastructure and collaborative networks otherwise beyond their reach, while large corporations can externalize exploratory research and participate in system-level solutions to grand challenges. We develop a working definition of the 4GU and demonstrate its practical implications through Eindhoven University of Technology’s evolution within the Brainport ecosystem, showing how this model creates value for R&D managers through ecosystem participation rather than bilateral knowledge transfer. We provide a staged implementation framework that guides firms from ecosystem assessment to co-orchestration, supported by multitier performance metrics that balance traditional innovation outputs with ecosystem development indicators. This article contributes to innovation management practice by reframing university–industry collaboration as ecosystem development—essential for addressing the complex, interdependent challenges that define contemporary innovation.

The introduction of sugar taxes in Africa, beginning with South Africa’s 2018 Health Promotion Levy and followed by similar fiscal measures in countries such as Ghana and Nigeria, has intensified policy debates on the role of low-calorie sweeteners (LCS). These fiscal interventions were designed to curb rapidly increasing rates of obesity, diabetes and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs), yet they have also triggered a swift shift toward LCS use as substitutes for sugar. This dual effect illustrates both progress in health-oriented policy and emerging challenges surrounding long-term health effects, regulatory coherence, and consumer equity. Artificial sweeteners such as aspartame and sucralose, together with natural alternatives including Stevia rebaudiana, Thaumatococcus daniellii and Pentadiplandra brazzeana, offer potential advantages in weight and glycemic control. However, evidence remains divided: while short-term randomized trials demonstrate benefits for energy balance and glucose regulation, long-term observational studies report inconsistent or adverse associations with metabolic and cardiovascular risk. Reflecting this uncertainty, the World Health Organization (WHO) in 2023 advised against the use of non-sugar sweeteners for weight management, creating tension between global recommendations and Africa’s urgent need for cost-effective dietary interventions. Beyond the health dimension, Africa’s sweetener policy landscape reveals underexplored agricultural, economic and governance opportunities. Indigenous sweeteners such as thaumatin and brazzein represent potential sources of regional innovation and trade diversification, yet investment, processing infrastructure, and regulatory alignment remain limited. This review synthesizes scientific, economic, and policy evidence on LCS in Africa to clarify how fiscal and regulatory instruments can support sustainable sugar reduction. It identifies key governance gaps uneven regulation, weak consumer awareness, and affordability barriers and proposes three strategic priorities: harmonized regional frameworks to ensure regulatory consistency, targeted investment in indigenous sweetener production, and equitable access to safe, affordable alternatives. By integrating global evidence with Africa’s contextual realities, this review offers a balanced framework for advancing public health while fostering inclusive economic development. Key words: Low-calorie sweeteners, Sugar tax, Stevia rebaudiana, Thaumatococcus daniellii, Pentadiplandra brazzeana, Africa, Nutrition transition

How does government environmental attention drive regional green technology innovation?

The collaborative effects of digital financial development and multi-dimensional proximity on regional tech innovation efficiency

Navigating from spatial heterogeneity to synergistic convergence: The dynamics of innovation efficiency in China's regional innovation ecosystems

Concentration of higher education resources, regional innovation potential, and development finance support strategies

This study examines the operational structure of technology entrepreneurship support programs at Kumoh National Institute of Technology (KIT), with a particular focus on entrepreneurial club activities and practice-oriented startup support initiatives implemented by the Technology Entrepreneurship Team. The analysis is based on 2025 program operation data, including prototype development funding for entrepreneurial clubs, support for domestic and international startup competitions, the 3CS (Corporate Technical Problem-Solving) program, prototype development support for early-stage and prospective entrepreneurs, the K-Square startup valley initiative, and infrastructure support through the AI Makerspace. In addition, in-depth interviews were conducted with 35 student participants, five mentors, and three program administrators, and the data were analyzed using qualitative content analysis. The findings reveal that KIT’s practice-based entrepreneurship programs significantly enhance students’ creativity, problem-solving capabilities, presentation competencies, and understanding of early-stage startup processes. Experiential learning elements—such as prototype development funding, structured mentoring, and competition-based validation—were identified as key mechanisms that provide authentic opportunities for engaging in technologydriven entrepreneurship. However, the analysis also identifies several structural challenges, including delays in administrative communication and budget execution, insufficient competencies in market validation and business model development among participants, limited mentoring depth, mismatches in mentor assignment, and insufficient access to external expert and investment networks. Moreover, the independent operation of individual programs results in weak structural linkages across stages, thereby constraining the continuity of entrepreneurial growth pathways. Based on these findings, this study proposes an integrated multi-stage growth framework that strengthens business development capabilities, enhances mentoring continuity, expands external collaboration networks, improves administrative efficiency, and reinforces structural connectivity among support programs. The proposed framework contributes to advancing a practiceoriented university entrepreneurship ecosystem and provides policy and operational implications for regional innovation universities seeking to enhance technology-based startup education and support systems.

Impact of the Regional Innovation Ecosystem on Digital Innovation and Sustainable International Competitiveness of SMEs

Purpose This study aims to examine how aligning development strategies with the specific characteristics of regional innovation ecosystems can foster inclusive and sustainable growth, using global innovation and entrepreneurship metrics in a policy-oriented, non-causal comparative perspective. Design/methodology/approach A qualitative, exploratory comparative analysis based on secondary data from GII and GEM, linked to the OECD Better Life Index across eight countries of varying income levels to support contextual interpretation rather than ranking or causal inference. Findings GII and GEM offer complementary perspectives, revealing that countries with different profiles can exhibit valuable practices when indicators are interpreted contextually and jointly, helping to identify distinct “ecosystem logics” and trade-offs between innovation capacity, entrepreneurial dynamics and well-being outcomes. Research limitations/implications This study provides insights into strategic alignment, although with limitations due to the reliance on secondary indicators and the absence of deeper historical, political and socio-cultural case evidence; moreover, the fast-evolving nature of ecosystems may affect the stability of observed patterns. Practical implications Policymakers should adapt global indicators to local contexts and use combined metric readings (GII–GEM–well-being) to design targeted interventions, improving innovation strategies and address societal challenges effectively. Social implications This study accentuates the need for evidence-based public policies, such as those supported by data from GII and GEM. This can assist policymakers in targeting resources more effectively in areas needing development, thereby enhancing public policies and social infrastructure. Originality/value Proposes an integrated conceptual framework connecting innovation, entrepreneurship and social impact, offering policy-relevant insights for ecosystem development by reframing how global indices are interpreted together to inform place-based strategy (rather than producing new rankings).

This study examines the impact of the spatial flow of new quality productive forces (NQPFS) and the optimal combination of new quality productive forces (NQPFC) on the high-quality economic development (HQMED) of China’s coastal regions. Based on panel data from 53 coastal cities (2004–2023), the research constructs comprehensive evaluation systems and employs a two-way fixed effects model for empirical analysis. The main findings are as follows: First, Spatial Evolution: The HQMED level of coastal areas shows a continuous upward trend with marked regional disparities, forming a spatial pattern of “one core, two wings” characterized by “Eastern leadership with Northern and Southern regions following.” The inter-city development gap has widened, with the overall spatial structure evolving from a “core-periphery” model toward a clustered stage of “one core, multiple poles, and networked linkage.” Correspondingly, New Quality Productive Forces have transitioned from initial single-point agglomeration to a multi-polar and ultimately networked distribution. Second, both the spatial flow and optimal combination of New Quality Productive Forces exert stable positive effects on coastal HQMED. The marginal contribution of the factor optimal combination is significantly greater than that of spatial flow. Third, two complete mediation pathways are identified: NQPFS promotes HQMED primarily by enhancing the resilience of the marine industrial chain, while NQPFC drives HQMED mainly through cultivating new-quality marine business forms. Fourth, resource misallocation exerts a significant negative moderating effect on the relationship between NQPFS and HQMED. Conversely, a sound innovation ecosystem positively moderates the impact of NQPFC on HQMED. Fifth, the effects exhibit significant regional and institutional variation. Geographically, the impact follows a pattern of “strong in the East, suppressed in the North, and insignificant in the South.” Administratively, core cities demonstrate stronger factor capture and configuration efficiency compared to ordinary cities. The study confirms that facilitating the cross-regional flow and efficient internal recombination of the New Quality Productive Force is crucial for driving coastal HQMED. Policy should focus on reducing resource misallocation to remove barriers to factor mobility, optimizing regional innovation ecosystems to enhance factor synergy, and implementing differentiated strategies that balance the radiating role of core cities with the distinctive development of ordinary cities, thereby fostering a new, coordinated pattern of high-quality development across coastal regions.

This study focuses on the core issue of balanced regional economic development driven by the integration of data factors and artificial intelligence (DIAI). Aiming at the deficiency of existing studies that ignore the synergistic effects of the two elements, the study uses panel data of 30 Chinese provinces from 2012 to 2023 to construct fixed effects, mediation effect and threshold regression models. Combined with robustness tests, it systematically examines the action mechanism, boundary conditions and regional heterogeneity of DIAI. It is empirically verified that DIAI significantly narrows regional development gaps and acts as a novel synergistic driving force for balanced regional economic development. DIAI exerts its driving effect through three mechanisms, namely innovation-driven development, the upgrading of industrial structure and the optimization of resource allocation, with the contribution rates of the three mechanisms being 42.1%, 28.6% and 29.3% respectively. A single threshold effect of 12.7% is identified in the level of financial development; the marginal contribution of DIAI increases by 3.9 times after the financial development level crosses this threshold. In addition, the effect of DIAI is more pronounced in western China and national digital economy pilot zones. Theoretically, this study expands the theory of regional innovation systems. Practically, it provides a basis for local governments to formulate differentiated DIAI strategies. The study also points out its limitation in the insufficient exploration of the mechanism of microeconomic agents and clarifies the future research direction of further in-depth investigation from the micro perspective.