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"Study and Implement the Spirit of the Fourth Plenary Session of the 20th Communist Party of China(CPC) Central Committee" Column

The Measurement, Spatiotemporal Evolution, and Economic Ef⁃ fects of the Integration of Scientific and Technological Innovation  and Industrial Innovation

— An Empirical Study Based on Chinese Provincial Panel Data 

Zhang Pei1 , Zhao Ziwei1, 2

(1.Dongguan Institute of Materials Science and Technology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Dongguan 523808, China; 2.Songshan Lake Materials Laboratory, Dongguan 532808, China)

Abstract: Against the backdrop of a new round of technological revolution and industrial  transformation, the deep integration of scientific and technological innovation (STI) and indus⁃ trial innovation (II) has become a core driving force for high-quality economic development. This paper systematically constructs a theoretical analysis framework from four levels: microlevel factor integration, meso-level industrial integration, macro-level spatial synergy, and  multi-dimensional value co-creation, revealing the intrinsic mechanisms underlying the inte⁃ grated development of STI and II. On this basis, using panel data of 31 Chinese provinces from  2010 to 2023, an evaluation index system for STI and II is established. The coupling coordina⁃ tion degree model is employed to measure their integration level, analyze its spatiotemporal evo⁃ lution characteristics, and the spatial Durbin model is further used to explore the economic ef⁃fects of the integration. The findings are as follows: ①The levels of STI, II, and their coupling co⁃ ordination degree in China's provinces have all shown a continuous upward trend. ②The cou⁃ pling coordination degree has formed three high-coordination agglomeration areas—the Pearl  River Delta, the Yangtze River Delta, and the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region—exhibiting an  overall spatial differentiation pattern characterized by leading performance in the east, catching up in the central region, sluggishness in the northeast, and lagging in the west, with internal dis⁃ parities ranking as west > east > northeast > central. ③The economic effect of the STI-II integra⁃ tion is not yet significant, which may be due to its relatively weak impact or the need for a longer  observation window and more refined mechanism design to materialize. ④Human capital, open⁃ ness to the outside world, and urbanization are core drivers of regional economic growth, while  industrial structure and government intervention exhibit short-term inhibitory effects. The eco⁃ nomic effects of other factors, such as infrastructure, are relatively weak or have not yet emerged. Finally, based on the above findings, the following four policy implications are proposed: First, deepen the integration pathways between scientific and technological innovation and industrial  innovation by leveraging the four-level theoretical analytical framework, and make precise ef⁃ forts in the dimensions of factors, industry, space, and value. Second, implement differentiated  policies oriented by the level of integration, adopting a regional innovation coordination strategy  that incorporates gradient-driven development, targeted measures, and cross-regional integra⁃ tion across the eastern, central, northeastern, and western regions. Third, optimize resource allo cation to promote coordinated regional development, giving full play to the comparative advan⁃ tages of regions in terms of human resources, finance, industry, and policies to achieve comple⁃ mentary strengths and mutual benefits. Fourth, adopt a long-term perspective when assessing  the economic effects of integration, ensuring that policy-making maintains strategic resolve and  avoids pursuing short-term direct returns. This paper provides empirical evidence for under standing the complex mechanisms of STI-II integration and offers policy insights for promoting  regional coordinated development and cultivating new quality productive forces. 

Key words: scientific and technological innovation; industrial innovation; economic effects; spatial spillover effects; high-quality development; new quality productive forces; coupling coor⁃ dination degree; endogenous growth theory