581 / 2024-04-26 10:29:18

Multiperiod efficiency evaluation of China’s regional R&D systems and improvement configurational path: Analysis based on dynamic SMAA-DEA approach and fsQCA approach

China's regional R&D system,multiperiod R&D efficiency,configurational path,dynamic data envelopment analysis,stochastic multicriteria acceptability analysis,fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis

Improving regional R&D efficiency in China is imperative for realizing high-level scientific and technological self-reliance and building a powerful nation of science and technology. Scientifically and accurately measuring regional R&D efficiency and investigating paths for its enhancement are two crucial issues that deserve priority. In practice, the multiperiod effects of R&D capital stock link R&D activities over times. Although some dynamic DEA models have been proposed to assess multiperiod R&D efficiency, their measurement is based on a certain set of input, output, and period weights, causing less comparability and even biased results. Accordingly, this study proposes a dynamic SMAA-DEA approach to evaluate China’s regional R&D efficiency during 2012–2018. This approach considers the interdependence of R&D activities over multiple periods but also all possible weights, thereby guaranteeing scientific, accurate, comprehensive, and robust conclusions. Subsequently, we apply the fsQCA approach to examine which configurational paths lead to high R&D efficiency. The empirical results show that from 2012 to 2018, the period R&D efficiency of the whole country ranged from 0.480 to 0.633 and displayed an upward trend. The overall R&D efficiency over the study period was 0.569, indicating much room for improvement. Additionally, R&D efficiency disparities exist between geographical areas; most eastern and northeastern provinces performed better than those in other areas. Moreover, three distinct configurational paths leading to high R&D efficiency are identified; within each, a high economic development level and openness are the core conditions. Finally, based on the empirical findings, some policy implications are discussed.