A Sustainable Development Study on Innovation Factor Allocation Efficiency and Spatial Correlation Based on Regions along the Belt and Road in China

The level of development of the innovation factor plays a crucial role in supporting the high-quality sustainable development of China's economy. In order to advance the sustainable development of regional innovation factor allocation efficiency along the Belt and Road this study introduces the super-efficient slacks-based measure (SBM)-data envelopment analysis (DEA)-Malmquist model for static and dynamic analyses of innovation factor allocation efficiency in 17 provinces along the Belt and Road from 2012 to 2021. This study used the Moran index model to analyze spatial correlation. The results show the following: (1) The overall innovation factor allocation efficiency along the Belt and Road is not high, and there are obvious differences among different regions. The eastern region's efficiency is the highest compared to other regions. (2) According to the efficiency decomposition results, pure technical efficiency (PTE) is the main reason for the low innovation factor allocation efficiency. (3) Through the Malmquist index and decomposition index, it was found that pure technical efficiency (PECH) and scale efficiency (SECH) are key factors in improving technical efficiency (TECH). (4) The analysis of spatial correlation revealed a strong spatial agglomeration feature among the provinces along the Belt and Road. Innovation factor allocation efficiency is mainly manifested in the third quadrant. Finally, drawing on the results of the analysis, suggestions and policies are put forward to improve innovation factor allocation efficiency in the regions along the Belt and Road. This study is of great significance for promoting the sustainable development of the regional innovation level along the Belt and Road in China.