Higher Education Expansion and Regional Innovation: Evidence from China’s Tech-Based SMEs

• In Event: AERA Roundtable Session Saturday 11:45 am - Gold 1
  In Roundtable Session: Place Based Innovations: A Regional Rocus on Education and Economic Devleopment

Abstract

This study examines how the scale and spatial distribution of higher education resources contribute to regional innovation by supporting the development of technology-based small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in China. Using cross-sectional data from 240 prefecture-level cities in 2023, we assess the effects of higher education institutions and student enrollment on SME growth. Findings reveal that: (1) higher education expansion promotes local SME activity; (2) education resources exhibit spatial spillover effects; and (3) STEM talent and non-elite universities play stronger roles in SME development. These results highlight the developmental role of higher education in innovation and regional transformation. The study contributes to postsecondary education research by offering empirical insights into how institutional diversity and educational infrastructure shape regional knowledge ecosystems.

Authors

• Peining Mao, East China Normal University

• Chen Xie, East China Normal University

• Jiabin Fu, East China Normal University