Research on Innovation Efficiency and Technology Gap in China Economic Development

In this paper, we use the meta-frontier network DEA approach to evaluate the innovation efficiency of 30 provinces in China from 2009 to 2011. These provinces have been classified into two groups based on their levels of economic development. The first group comprises provinces in the Eastern region, while the second group comprises provinces in the Central and Western regions. First, we use the meta-frontier network DEA method to estimate the technology gaps of innovation efficiency between different operating types. Second, the quadrant analysis method explores the reasons for efficiency losses. Finally, we take the fixed effect model to examine whether industry–university–research cooperation influences technology efficiency. The empirical results indicate (i) the Eastern region has significantly higher innovation efficiency than the Central and Western regions. (ii) Some Eastern provinces have a high technology level, yet their resource allocation capabilities still need to be improved. (iii) Industry–university–research cooperation is an effective way to improve innovation performance.