Strategic leadership, environmental optimisation, and regional innovation performance with the regional innovation system coupling synergy degree: evidence from China

ABSTRACT

This study investigates the impact mechanism of the government’s strategic leadership (SL) and environmental optimisation (EO) on the improvement of regional innovation performance (RIP) under the effects of the regional innovation system coupling synergy degree (RISCSD). Based on the nonlinear threshold regression model, the coupling synergy model and entropy value method, the threshold regression analysis is conducted by calculating the RISCSD. The results indicate that: under the effect of the RISCSD, the SL, EO, and RIP have distinct single and double threshold effects. With the improvement of RISCSD, the influence of SL on RIP has changed from inhibition to promotion; while the promotion effect of EO on RIP shows an upward trend at first, and then slightly weakening. This paper provides relevant policy suggestions for local public administrations to enhance RIP.

KEYWORDS:

• The regional innovation system coupling synergy degree
• strategic leadership
• environmental optimisation
• regional innovation performance

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This dissertation is supported by National Social Science Foundation of China under (No. 21BGL064).

Notes on contributors

Cao Xia

Xia Cao received the Ph.D. degree from the School of Economics and Management, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin, China, in 2005. She is currently a Professor and a Ph.D. Supervisor in HEU. She has presided over ten national and provincial research projects, published more than 100 academic papers in journals, and two academic publications. Her research interests include technological innovation and innovation network.

Yu Bing

Bing Yu is studying for a in Management Science and Engineering at School of Economics and Management, Harbin Engineering University, Harbin, China, since 2017. During her studies, she has participated in research work with the Provincial Social Science Fund Project of China and Central University Fund Project. Her research interests include regional innovation, technological innovation and public administration.