Abstract:

Based on data from 31 provinces, autonomous regions, and municipalities in China, this study uses fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) to identify the basic pathways of university knowledge spillover within provincial regions. Drawing on the framework of knowledge creation, field embeddedness, knowledge diffusion, and value transformation, it conducts a configurational analysis of nine core variables, including cognitive deepening, technology generation, and knowledge sharing. The findings reveal three spillover pathways: a knowledge agglomeration-oriented regional radiating pathway, an industrial adaptation-oriented point-based breakthrough pathway, and an industry-university collaboration-oriented systemic coupling pathway. The driving mechanisms of these pathways differ fundamentally, and their effectiveness is constrained by regional endowments. Accordingly, differentiated driving strategies should be designed according to provincial characteristics, tiered support policies should be implemented based on resource endowments, institutional and collaborative mechanisms suited to regional conditions should be established, and multiple channels for value transformation should be expanded to improve pathway adaptability.

Key words: provincial regions, university knowledge spillover, configurational analysis, basic pathways