Empirical research on promoting the tackling of key core technologies by the "Enlisting and Leading" mechanism

However, empirical research on the effectiveness of this research organization model in advancing breakthroughs in key core technologies at the local level remains insufficient. Drawing on resource dependence theory and using a sample of 2,152 observations from 269 prefecture-level cities in China from 2016 to 2023, this study empirically examines the impact of "Enlisting and Leading" on breakthroughs in key core technologies and its underlying mechanisms.

The findings show that the implementation of "Enlisting and Leading" significantly promotes breakthroughs in key core technologies at the city level. Mechanism tests indicate that the effect of "Enlisting and Leading" on breakthroughs in key core technologies operates primarily through the dual mechanisms of local government support and coordination among innovation actors. Further heterogeneity analysis reveals that the effect of "Enlisting and Leading" in promoting breakthroughs in key core technologies is stronger in regions with lower economic development levels than in those with higher economic development levels; conversely, the policy effect of "Enlisting and Leading" in promoting breakthroughs in key core technologies is stronger in regions with higher innovation levels than in those with lower innovation levels.