Mechanisms and pathways of industrial transformation in resource-based cities driven by new quality factors

New quality productive forces (NQPF), which integrates new factors, models, and efficiency gains, emerges as a new paradigm for resolving the developmental challenges faced by resource-based cities. This study employs a Super-SBM model incorporating undesirable outputs to measure the industrial transformation level of China's resource-based cities from 2008 to 2023, using green development efficiency as the core indicator. Utilizing a panel regression model, it investigates the mechanisms through which new quality factors—such as technological innovation, high-quality talent, and intelligent equipment—drive industrial transformation in these cities. The research findings reveal that: (1) New quality factors drive industrial transformation through dual pathways: revitalizing existing industries and fostering substitute industries, with the latter demonstrating a stronger effect. (2) Factor-driven empowerment exhibits significant heterogeneity: coal-dependent cities prioritize talent-driven strategies, while low-income cities rely more heavily on technological innovation. (3) Both pollution case penalties and technical funding support can regulate the mechanism by which new quality factors indirectly affect industrial transformation. Based on these findings, the study proposes three pathways for resource-based cities to leverage new quality factors: expanding the penetration scope of highly versatile factors, dismantling barriers to highly specialized factors, and establishing tailored factor empowerment strategies. This research provides a scientific foundation and policy references for tailoring new quality elements to local conditions to advance industrial transformation.

新质生产力（New Quality Productive Forces, NQPF）整合新型要素、模式与效率增益，成为破解资源型城市发展困境的全新范式。本研究采用纳入非期望产出的超效率SBM（Super-SBM）模型，以绿色发展效率为核心指标，测度2008至2023年中国资源型城市的产业转型水平。本研究借助面板回归模型，探究技术创新、高素质人才、智能装备等新质要素驱动资源型城市产业转型的作用机制。研究结果表明：其一，新质要素通过两大路径驱动产业转型——盘活存量产业与培育替代产业，其中培育替代产业的驱动效应更为显著；其二，要素赋能效应存在显著异质性：煤炭依赖型城市优先采用人才驱动策略，而低收入城市则更依赖技术创新；其三，污染案例处罚与技术经费支持均可对新质要素间接影响产业转型的作用机制产生调节效应。基于上述研究结论，本研究提出资源型城市激活新质要素的三大路径：扩大通用型要素的渗透范围、破除专业化要素的流动壁垒、构建差异化的要素赋能策略。本研究为资源型城市因地制宜适配新质要素、推进产业转型提供了科学依据与政策参考。