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ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Analysis of Driving County Innovation
Capability Enhancement: Based on fsQCA
1
School of International Business of Zhejiang Yuexiu University, Shaoxing, China
2
International College of National Institute of Development Administration, Bangkok, Thailand
3
Sussex Artificial Intelligence Institute Zhejiang Gongshang University, Hangzhou, China
Submission date: 2024-06-07
Final revision date: 2024-08-26
Acceptance date: 2024-09-02
Online publication date: 2025-03-31
Publication date: 2025-11-04
Corresponding author
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2025;34(6):6979-6991
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
County-level innovation capability is a key link in promoting the deepening development of the
national innovation system. Although there has been extensive research on the factors that affect
county-level innovation capabilities, most studies have a mismatch between theory and methods. In
theory, it is most appropriate to explain the reasons for improving county-level innovation capabilities
from the perspective of complex systems. However, research methods lack the ability to capture the
complex interactive effects between various conditions that affect innovation capability. In addition, it is
necessary to seek new explanatory perspectives for the many conflicting findings in the literature. This
study is based on the theories of complex systems and regional innovation systems, utilizing relevant
data from 52 counties in Zhejiang, China, and using the fsQCA method from a holistic configuration
perspective to study the multiple paths and mechanisms that promote synergy between the government
and the effective market, attract factors to "reverse flow," and drive the improvement of county innovation
capabilities. Research has found that a single factor is not a necessary condition to enhance the high
county innovation capacity. The configuration that generates high county innovation capabilities can be
summarized into four types: the joint driving model of innovative entities and responsible government;
the joint driving model of collaborative production factors and responsible government; driven by the
traditional industrial upgrading model; and the joint driving model of traditional industrial upgrading
and responsible government. The research conclusion also reveals that the business environment plays
an important role in the process of enhancing county innovation capabilities, but the innovation main
body is the new force in enhancing county innovation capabilities. The various elements that affect the
innovation capacity of the county adapt to each other, co-evolve, and evolve into different ecosystems,
forming a diversified and differentiated driving path.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
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| eISSN: | 2083-5906 |
| ISSN: | 1230-1485 |
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