Regional Innovation Research Articles

Navigating the innovation policy dilemma: How subnational governments balance expenditure competition pressures and long-term innovation goals

In the pursuit of economic growth, the role of innovation has become increasingly important, posing dilemmas for subnational governments as they navigate the balance between expenditure competition and long-term investments in innovation. This study aimed to investigate the intricate relationship between fiscal pressures and the pursuit of innovation goals faced by regional authorities. To achieve this, a systematic literature review was conducted, synthesizing more than 150 studies published within the past 15 years. Keyword searches were conducted across multiple databases, and additional scholarly articles were incorporated through citation tracking. Rigorous qualitative analysis techniques, including inductive coding and thematic analysis, were employed to distill conceptual insights from the literature. The analysis performed in this review reveals extensive discussions regarding the influence of competition on innovation outcomes, encompassing a wide range of perspectives. The potential advantages of localization are emphasized by some viewpoints, while others caution against the risks of inadequate investment. The effective coordination of policies across multiple levels of governance to maximize synergies between national and subnational innovation systems emerges as a complex yet crucial challenge. It is observed that collaborative networks, which facilitate knowledge exchange through industrial clustering and public-private linkages, play a significant role in leveraging regional innovation assets. Strategic approaches that successfully balance competition with long-term capacity development have been demonstrated by leading jurisdictions. These findings highlight the significance of tailored policy frameworks that account for the unique contexts of each region, providing opportunities to harness competitive motivations while sustaining investments in innovation. Ongoing coordination is essential to strike a balance between responsiveness and coherence across diverse territories. This study offers practical guidance and academic insights on strategies to align decentralized imperatives, aiming to optimize prosperity through knowledge creation within evolving multi-level innovation systems. By shedding light on these strategies, the research contributes to both practical and academic understandings of how to effectively navigate and capitalize on the dynamics of such systems.

Research on the suitability and spatial and temporal evolution of innovation environment niche suitability of regional innovation ecosystem under digitalization

Research on the suitability and spatial and temporal evolution of innovation environment niche suitability of regional innovation ecosystem under digitalization

The Effects of Government R&D Investment and Policy Ambiguity on Regional Innovation: Evidence from China

The Effects of Government R&D Investment and Policy Ambiguity on Regional Innovation: Evidence from China

Integrated investment for improved regional competitiveness of Slovak Regions: Human Agency and Regional Innovation

As regions emerge as critical drivers of economic growth and development, understanding the dynamics of these economic agents becomes imperative for policymakers and stakeholders seeking to enhance regional prosperity. This research delves into the potential roles of existing economic agents/tools, including actors and agencies, for integrated investment proposals. The research is about how to plan integrated investments for improved regional competitiveness for Slovak self-governing regions by considering the soft factors for regional competitiveness with a special focus on underdeveloped regions, including regions affected by the attenuation of mining activities and negatively related side effects. Through a mixed-method approach, our investigation synthesizes relevant literature on regional innovation and competitiveness; we analyze the intricate interactions and alignments of actors and agencies, exploring how their dynamics contribute to the region's ability to attract and leverage investments for promoting innovation and competitiveness. This research contributes to the ongoing dialogue on effective strategies for regional economic development and offers actionable recommendations for policymakers, businesses, and stakeholders to benefit from the potential. Ultimately, our investigation seeks to empower decision-makers with the knowledge needed to place-based/place-sensitive policies and initiatives that facilitate innovation, foster competitiveness, and drive regional success to new dimensions.

Digital Economy, Technological Innovation, and Environmental Pollution in Different Regions: An Analysis Based on a Threshold Model

Digital Economy, Technological Innovation, and Environmental Pollution in Different Regions: An Analysis Based on a Threshold Model

The contribution of academic inventors to regional technological diversification: the Italian evidence

Abstract This article investigates the interplay between scientific and technological capabilities in regional technological diversification dynamics by looking at the contributions of academic inventors. Combining the evolutionary economic approach and the theories on regional innovation capabilities on the one hand, and the distinctive features of academic inventors and university–industry patenting on the other, we hypothesize that the participation of university-based inventors to local patenting activity positively influences the chance of regional technological diversification and mitigates the path dependency engendered by the constraining role of the technological relatedness. In addition, we hypothesize that academic inventors tend to push regional technological trajectories towards their portfolio of specializations, hence allowing a process of technological convergence. The empirical results highlight the key role of academic institutions in the development of new regional technological trajectories while contributing to the academic and policy debate on regional diversification strategies.

Can regional innovation policies promote corporate digital transformation? Empirical evidence from China’s national innovation demonstration zones

ABSTRACT Using a sample of A-share listed companies in Shanghai and Shenzhen from 2007 to 2022, this study constructs a multi-period difference-in-differences model with the establishment of national innovation demonstration zones (NIDZs) as a quasi-natural experiment to investigate the effect of a regional innovation policy on corporate digital transformation. The study finds that the government’s NIDZ policy has significantly promoted the digital transformation of enterprises. The policy effect is mainly reflected in promoting the application of the underlying digitalization technology. An analysis of the influence mechanism shows that NIDZs promote corporate digital transformation through innovation-driven government support and financing optimization effects. To promote corporate digital transformation and enhance enterprise value, NIDZs require relatively perfect digital infrastructure, a high level of intellectual property protection, non-state-owned enterprises, low management myopia, and manufacturing enterprises. The government can set up NIDZs and actively use regional innovation policies to promote the digital transformation of enterprises, explicitly solving the challenging issues that enterprises face in the transformation process.

How to leverage the initiative of regional innovation subjects under the digital economy? A study on the mediating effect of innovation environment

ABSTRACT The digital economy, as the most dynamic, innovative, and widely radiating economic form at present, has become an important force driving global economic development. Against this backdrop, how to leverage the initiative of innovation subjects and enhance regional innovation vitality has become an important issue. In view of this, this study explores the impact mechanism of the digital economy on the initiative of regional innovation subjects based on data from 30 regions in China, and analyzes whether the digital economy first affects the innovation environment and then influences the initiative of innovation subjects. The results show that the digital economy significantly enhances the initiative of regional innovation subjects, and as the scale of the digital economy continues to expand, it exhibits a non-linear feature of ‘increasing marginal effects’ on leveraging the initiative of regional innovation subjects. In addition, the regional innovation environment positively moderates the relationship between the digital economy and the initiative of innovation subjects. And it partially mediates the relationship between the level of the digital economy and the initiative of enterprises; While, it fully mediates the relationship between the level of the digital economy and the initiative of universities and research and development institutions.

Модель интеграции педагогического вуза в региональную инновационную сетевую инфраструктуру

Раскрыты значение и особенности, представлена общая характеристика педагогической интеграции, рассмотрен перечень показателей, свидетельствующих об интегрированности современного педагогического вуза в инновационную инфраструктуру региональной системы образования. Дано описание авторской модели интеграции педагогического вуза в региональную инновационную сетевую инфраструктуру, построенной с учётом специфики системы образования Краснодарского края. Существенное внимание уделено характеристике формализованного и инициативного форматов интеграции. При описании модели актуализированы основные субъекты её реализации, направления взаимодействия и практические мероприятия, обеспечивающие интеграционные процессы, раскрыты возможности использования ресурсов педагогического вуза и инновационной инфраструктуры региональной системы образования. Указаны ожидаемые эффекты для современной системы образования от реализации авторской модели. The meaning, features and general characteristics of pedagogical integration are revealed, a list of indicators is considered that indicate the integration of a modern pedagogical university into the innovative infrastructure of the regional education system. A description of the author's model for integrating a pedagogical university into a regional innovative network infrastructure, built taking into account the specifics of the education system of the Krasnodar Territory, is given. Significant attention is paid to the characteristics of formalized and initiative formats of integration. When describing the model, the main subjects of its implementation, areas of interaction and practical measures that ensure integration processes are updated and the possibilities of using the resources of a pedagogical university and the innovative infrastructure of the regional education system are revealed. The expected effects for the modern education system from the implementation of the author's model are indicated.

A stony track towards innovation in remote highland regions: agricultural intensification in the apricot sector of Northern Pakistan

BackgroundTraditional farming practices of remote highland regions are usually well adapted to the local agro-ecological and social conditions. There, introduced agricultural innovation geared towards sustainable intensification as a response to changing environments often faces multiple barriers. These may comprise limited market incentives for enhanced production, narrow pathways of knowledge transmission, and infrastructural hurdles. To quantify effects of innovation and sustainable intensification in enhancing smallholders’ livelihoods in the Karakoram Mountains of Northern Pakistan, the present study was conducted with 86 small-holder farmers. We chose interviewees who are involved in the cultivation, processing and/or trading of apricot (Prunus armeniaca L.), a traditionally important currently eroding fruit crop of the Central Asian highlands. By investigating the status quo of apricot production and producers’ innovative farming practices, we generated an intensification index based on simple agronomic indicators. Explanatory farm and framers’ characteristics, production characteristics, knowledge, and apricot management were tested for their predictive power.ResultsAlthough the data show low average profits of 3.8 US$ tree−1, we found that intensified apricot production can contribute to the provision of nutritious food and increased household income. Age and training of farmers were key factors fostering innovation, while lacking awareness of innovative practices was attributed to slow communication. Rejection of intensification was either due to low-value attribution towards apricot farming or risk aversion. Commonly adopted innovations, particularly sulfur drying, were either well integrated with traditional practices or characterized by low up-front costs and high returns on investment.ConclusionsManagement intensification may increase farmers’ incomes and retard abandonment of apricot farming and the consecutive loss of associated benefits, such as diversified farm output and improved ecosystem services.Graphical

The Impact of International Talent Inflow on Technological Innovation: The Moderating Role of Guanxi Culture and Social Trust

This paper studies the effect of international talent inflow on technological innovation and the influence of the Chinese cultural environment on their relationship. Based on provincial-level data from 2000 to 2012, we construct a static panel data model to explore the effects of international talents on technological innovation and the moderating role of Guanxi culture and social trust in the above relationship. We find that international talent inflow positively impacts technological innovation. Guanxi culture significantly negatively impacts technological innovation and negatively moderates the relationship between international talent inflow and technological innovation. Social trust significantly positively impacts technological innovation and positively moderates the relationship between international talent inflow and technological innovation. The interaction between social trust and Guanxi culture has a significant positive effect on technological innovation. The study shows that different cultural environments have an essential impact on developing international talent’s innovation ability. This paper provides evidence for the need to improve China’s cultural environment and provides important implications for the formulation of talent policies. Based on this, we suggest improving the talent introduction system, optimizing the relationship culture, and building a good social trust system to promote regional innovation.

Development and Acceptability of Yarn from Adams Needle (Yucca Filamentosa) Plant as Vegan Textile

This study will mainly focus on the development and acceptability of extracted fiber from Adam’s needle plant, specifically from its spiked leaves, as a vegan textile. This groundbreaking study aims to revolutionize the fashion and textile sectors by investigating the potential of this plant’s fiber through the project development method. Three groups were selected using the purposive sampling technique by choosing members of the industry to participate in our surveys, which included 5 garment faculty/instructors, 15 Regional Yarn Production and Innovation Center (RYPIC) staff, and 5 loom weavers/textile experts, for a total of 25 respondents. The describe-method of research was used with the sets of questionnaire-checklists supplemented by unstructured interviews and observations as the gathering instrument. A five-point Likert rating scale was used to determine the descriptive meaning of the indicators of the variables used. The weighted mean was also utilized to determine the general acceptability of Adam’s needle fiber. Here is the summary of the level of acceptability of yarn, which has an overall mean of 4.38 for faculty members, an overall mean of 4.24 for weavers and experts, and an overall mean of 4.20 for the RYPIC. According to the evaluation results, indicating that Adam’s needle (yucca filamentosa yarn) is “moderately acceptable," it passed the evaluation of the three groups of respondents in terms of appearance, texture, and durability.

Spatial patterns of European innovation: a spatial econometric approach with technological proximity weights

The paper deals with a spatial econometric analysis of 220 European regions. The analysis follows the Mixed Geographically Weighted Regression – Spatial Autoregressive approach. Patent applications were a proxy for innovation output. Instead of traditionally applied geographical proximity, the technological similarity was considered. The results supported the assumption of spatial differentiation of model parameters and indicated that regional innovation activities do not have only a local character in almost half of the regions. The region's technological similarity appears to be a significant factor stimulating innovation for regions that are not among the top innovators.

The study on the impact of environmental regulation on ecological innovation: considering the joint action of internal and external factors

Purpose The impact of environmental regulations on ecological innovation is a contested issue in current research. However, there is no uniform consensus on existing conclusions. It is commonly accepted among scholars that external environment and organizational characteristics are key factors affecting ecological innovation. However, these are often analyzed in isolation, without consideration of the interaction between leadership and external environment. So this study aims to explore the impact of environmental regulation on ecological innovation by combining internal and external factors. Design/methodology/approach Based on institutional theory and leadership theory, this paper takes environmental regulation as the independent variable, environmental leadership as the intermediary variable and intellectual property protection level as the regulating variable to explore the impact mechanism of environmental regulation on ecological innovation. Findings The findings indicate an inverted U-shaped relationship between environmental regulation and ecological innovation. Additionally, there is a positive correlation between environmental leadership and intellectual property protection level with ecological innovation. Furthermore, environmental leadership partially mediates the relationship between environmental regulation and ecological innovation. However, the level of intellectual property protection does not have a significant moderating effect on the relationship between environmental leadership and ecological innovation. Originality/value This paper proposes suggestions for regional ecological innovation based on the current policy and research situation to promote its development.

Regional Scientific, Technological and Innovation Policy: Strategic Planning and Regulatory-Legal Support

Regional Scientific, Technological and Innovation Policy: Strategic Planning and Regulatory-Legal Support

Is entrepreneurship a key factor in the development of European countries? A proposal for an innovation readiness environment (IRE) index

This study investigates the complex interplay among innovation, research and development (R&D), and entrepreneurship within the context of European nations. The focus of the study is also on the contributory role of tertiary educational institutions in nurturing entrepreneurial activities. To deepen the understanding of these multifaceted relationships and their subsequent impact on regional economies, the research introduces a novel metric termed the Innovation Readiness Environment (IRE) index. This index combines various indicators such as R&D expenditure, patenting rates, firm size, and educational levels, thereby providing a framework for evaluating firms' innovative capabilities and entrepreneurial success in a given region. Utilization of this index offers policymakers and stakeholders a nuanced understanding of the regional innovation ecosystem, facilitating the identification of strengths and deficiencies. This, in turn, enables the formulation of targeted policy interventions to enhance innovation and entrepreneurship. One relevant conclusion drawn from this study is the pivotal role of tertiary education in catalyzing entrepreneurial ventures. The findings posit that higher levels of entrepreneurial education significantly supplement an individual's likelihood of entrepreneurial success by imparting the requisite skills and knowledge indispensable in a competitive business milieu. By fostering an environment conducive to innovation, higher education institutions emerge as critical agents in cultivating entrepreneurial acumen and stimulating economic expansion. The study further incorporates a spatial analytical framework to elucidate the regional specificities of innovation at the pan-European scale.

Green taxation, regional green development and innovation: Mechanisms of influence and policy optimization

As the severity of global climate change escalates, carbon peak and carbon neutrality have emerged as international imperatives. Green taxation, a crucial fiscal strategy promoting the transition to a green low-carbon economy, demands thorough investigation regarding its efficacy and operational mechanisms. Predominantly, existing research has concentrated on the macroeconomic implications of green taxes, while their influence on regional green growth and innovation remains underexplored. This paper delineates green taxation in both a broad and narrow sense, elucidating its essence and potential in stimulating regional green progress and innovation. Utilizing panel data from 30 provinces in China spanning 2004 to 2021, a bidirectional fixed-effects model was developed for empirical analysis. Moreover, an impact mechanism model was constructed to delve into how green taxation specifically affects regional green development and innovation. Findings reveal that green taxation significantly fosters regional green growth and markedly enhances green innovation. Nonetheless, due to the resource crowding-out effect, it adversely impacts the comprehensive innovation capabilities of regional enterprises. This insight offers a fresh perspective on the paradoxical effects of green taxation, underscoring the necessity for a balanced approach in policy design and implementation. Drawing on these conclusions, the paper presents tailored policy recommendations.

Long-term credit and green innovation : causal evidence from China

ABSTRACT Environmental issues are a global challenge. In bank-centric financial systems such as China’s, the impact of long-term credit on sustainable development is a crucial yet underexplored issue. We use a plausibly exogenous long-term credit policy (LCP) implemented in 2019 to identify the impact of long-term credit on green innovations. Using a difference-in-differences (DID) approach, we find that long-term credit increases firms’ low-quality green innovations by optimizing credit term structures and generates spillover effects on environmental performance. Moreover, long-term credit significantly enhances high-quality green innovation in regions with more stringent environmental disclosure regulations. These findings reveal a quantity-over-quality effect of long-term credit on green innovation and highlight the critical role of integrating financial and environmental policies.

Does fishery digitalization matter in the sustainable development of fisheries? Evidence from China

AbstractThe wave of digital development is sweeping across the globe today, exerting profound impacts on various aspects of human society. As an important industry in the national economy, it is worth studying whether the sustainable development of fisheries is influenced by digitalization. Based on this, taking the fishery development in 30 provinces of China from 2011 to 2021 as an example, this article examines how digitalization affects fishery sustainable development, and conducts an expansive study on the fishery regional innovation capacity. The article finds that Chinese fishery digitalization accelerates fishery sustainable development by promoting technological progress and enhancing technological efficiency, and this promotion effect exhibits different characteristics due to varying levels of fishery sustainable development and regional disparities. Furthermore, the exploratory analysis reveals that as the fishery regional innovation capacity improves, the promoting effect of fishery digitalization on sustainable development gradually strengthens. This article has great significance in theory and reality for guaranteeing food security and realizing fishery sustainable development.

The impact of institutional proximity on digital technology innovation linkages: empirical evidence on the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao greater bay area of China

ABSTRACT Promoting digital technology innovation connections is crucial to establishing an international science, technology, and innovation hub in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and institutional disparities influence the clustering and flow of digital technology as an innovation factor. Promoting digital technology links and cooperation across cities is a practical strategy to improve the region's innovation efficiency and capacity. However, detailed research on the flow of innovation determinants such as digital technology and there is no evidence of the influence of institutional proximity on digital technology innovation connections. Based on the patent transfer data of the National Key Industry Patent Information Service Platform from 2010 to 2021, this paper constructs a new institutional proximity indicator applicable to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and other cross-system regions, applies a spatial econometric model to investigate direct and spatial spillover effects of institutional proximity on the digital technological innovation linkages. It is proved that institutional proximity has significant positive direct and spatial spillover effects on digital technological innovation linkages. The study has significant theoretical and practical implications for increasing the association and collaboration of digital technology and other innovation elements across institutional boundaries.