Details
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 104247 |
| Number of pages | 13 |
| Journal | GEOFORUM |
| Volume | 161 |
| Early online date | 6 Mar 2025 |
| Publication status | Published - May 2025 |
Abstract
This paper analyzes the state-directed organization of green and digital innovation processes in China. Building on a qualitative approach, we selected the three case study regions Shanghai, Hangzhou (Zhejiang) and Longyan (Fujian), and conducted 23 expert interviews with various private and government actors. Following an analytical framework based on state rescaling processes, the data were analyzed using a content analysis and categories structured according to government levels, governance processes and technology domains. The findings reveal that state-directed innovation processes are shaped between local actor constellations and national, regional and local government levels, impacting local policy application. While Shanghai pursues a top-down approach in guiding multinational and domestic enterprises, Longyan traces agency-driven bottom-up processes centered around a local flagship company, and Hangzhou combines a top-down approach with selective bottom-up policy. Based on the findings, we develop a typology for local coordination processes during policy implementation. Our findings help to better understand the diversity of the organization of green and digital innovation processes in Chinese cities.
Keywords
- Artificial intelligence, China, Environmental innovation, Innovation zone, Policy experimentation, Technology park
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Social Sciences(all)
- Sociology and Political Science
Sustainable Development Goals
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In: GEOFORUM, Vol. 161, 104247, 05.2025.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › Research › peer review
}
TY - JOUR
T1 - Local varieties of state-directed green and digital innovation processes in China
T2 - Evidence from Shanghai, Hangzhou, and Longyan
AU - Brueck, Chris
AU - Liefner, Ingo
N1 - Publisher Copyright: © 2025 The Author(s)
PY - 2025/5
Y1 - 2025/5
N2 - This paper analyzes the state-directed organization of green and digital innovation processes in China. Building on a qualitative approach, we selected the three case study regions Shanghai, Hangzhou (Zhejiang) and Longyan (Fujian), and conducted 23 expert interviews with various private and government actors. Following an analytical framework based on state rescaling processes, the data were analyzed using a content analysis and categories structured according to government levels, governance processes and technology domains. The findings reveal that state-directed innovation processes are shaped between local actor constellations and national, regional and local government levels, impacting local policy application. While Shanghai pursues a top-down approach in guiding multinational and domestic enterprises, Longyan traces agency-driven bottom-up processes centered around a local flagship company, and Hangzhou combines a top-down approach with selective bottom-up policy. Based on the findings, we develop a typology for local coordination processes during policy implementation. Our findings help to better understand the diversity of the organization of green and digital innovation processes in Chinese cities.
AB - This paper analyzes the state-directed organization of green and digital innovation processes in China. Building on a qualitative approach, we selected the three case study regions Shanghai, Hangzhou (Zhejiang) and Longyan (Fujian), and conducted 23 expert interviews with various private and government actors. Following an analytical framework based on state rescaling processes, the data were analyzed using a content analysis and categories structured according to government levels, governance processes and technology domains. The findings reveal that state-directed innovation processes are shaped between local actor constellations and national, regional and local government levels, impacting local policy application. While Shanghai pursues a top-down approach in guiding multinational and domestic enterprises, Longyan traces agency-driven bottom-up processes centered around a local flagship company, and Hangzhou combines a top-down approach with selective bottom-up policy. Based on the findings, we develop a typology for local coordination processes during policy implementation. Our findings help to better understand the diversity of the organization of green and digital innovation processes in Chinese cities.
KW - Artificial intelligence
KW - China
KW - Environmental innovation
KW - Innovation zone
KW - Policy experimentation
KW - Technology park
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85219703814&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.geoforum.2025.104247
DO - 10.1016/j.geoforum.2025.104247
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85219703814
VL - 161
JO - GEOFORUM
JF - GEOFORUM
SN - 0016-7185
M1 - 104247
ER -