How does technological innovation drive green growth in China’s complex environments? A configurational approach

Abstract

This article employs asymmetric configuration theory and methods to investigate how technological innovation drives regional green growth in China’s complex environment. Specifically, the pooled QCA method is employed to identify multiple driving paths for technological innovation-driven regional green growth. Three configurations for high green growth have been identified: (1) a configuration with high IRD (internal R&D), non-high GS (government support), non-high TM (technology market), and non-high ER (environmental regulation) as core conditions; (2) a configuration with high IRD, non-high NRD (non-R&D) and non-high ER as core conditions complemented by high TM; and (3) a configuration with high levels of IRD, ERD (external R&D) and TM, and non-high ER as core conditions. Furthermore, high IRD is essential for green growth, while strict environmental regulations may be detrimental. This article offers a theoretical basis for adjusting innovation strategies or improving relevant policies to promote green growth in China.

Keywords:

• green growth
• technological innovation
• complex environments
• pooled QCA

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China under Grant number 72001056 and 72104064; Provincial Philosophy and Social Science Research Planning Project of Heilongjiang under Grant number 20JYB041; Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities under Grant number 3072022CFJ0902.