Bottleneck level analysis of the NCA method.

This study introduces the concept of "energy level" into the analysis of innovation ecosystems. Drawing on the theory of "architects", we have identified the key architects of regional digital innovation ecosystems. By integrating Necessary Condition Analysis (NCA) and Fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA), we examined the configuration effects of internal architects, external architects, and digital innovation habitats on the energy level of these ecosystems, utilizing data from 30 provinces in China as case studies. The results indicate that the contribution of a single architect to achieving a high energy level in a regional digital innovation ecosystem is limited and cannot be regarded as a necessary condition for driving a high energy level. However, core innovation actors and digital infrastructures emerge as more significant core conditions. The architects of regional digital innovation ecosystems exhibit multiple concurrent causal relationships. The configuration paths of high and non-high energy levels of ecosystems display a causally asymmetric “multiple paths to the same outcome” relationship. The three identified paths for driving high energy levels are categorized as "core actor-infrastructure"-driven paths. The findings of this paper hold substantial theoretical and practical significance for fostering the healthy development of regional digital innovation ecosystems.

本研究将"能级"概念引入创新生态系统分析框架。依托"架构主体"理论，本研究识别出区域数字创新生态系统的核心架构主体。本研究整合必要条件分析（Necessary Condition Analysis，NCA）与模糊集定性比较分析（Fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis，fsQCA），以中国30个省份的相关数据为案例样本，探究了内部架构主体、外部架构主体与数字创新生境对区域数字创新生态系统能级的组态效应。研究结果表明，单一架构主体对提升区域数字创新生态系统能级的作用有限，无法作为驱动高能级的必要条件。但核心创新行动者与数字基础设施则为更关键的核心条件。区域数字创新生态系统的架构主体存在多重并发因果关系。生态系统高能级与非高能级的组态路径呈现出因果非对称的"multiple paths to the same outcome"关系。本研究识别出的三条驱动高能级的路径，均可归为"核心行动者-基础设施"驱动型路径。本研究结论对推动区域数字创新生态系统的健康发展具有重要的理论与实践价值。