What determines the performance of low-carbon cities in China? Analysis of the grouping based on the technology—Organization—Environment framework

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0289160
• Publication Date: 2023-08-15T17:28:58Z
• Authors: Weidong Chen; Quanling Cai; Kaisheng Di; Dongli Li; Caiping Liu; Mingxing Wang; Sichen Liu; Zhensheng Di; Qiumei Shi
• Keywords: Environmental Governance

Background and objectives Addressing climate change reducing greenhouse gas emissions have emerged as shared global objectives. Enhancing the development performance of low-carbon cities has become an urgent widely acknowledged concern for both government policy-making departments academics. Drawing upon complex grouping perspective resource allocation theory, this study investigates how varying conditions related to technology, organization, environment in Chinese pilot can effectively allocate resources shape governance cities. Methods data This paper employs a comprehensive analysis perspective, treating research object combination various ways between condition variables. It integrates advantages case studies variable studies, collective relationships elemental groupings outcomes using fsQCA method. approach facilitates understanding multiple concurrent causal within technology-organization-environment (TOE) framework, accounting different levels cities, well addressing issues such asymmetry scenario equivalence. Data from 30 representative China were employed validate TOE theoretical framework. Conclusion No single element alone be considered necessary city performance. However, environmental enhancement plays more prominent role Additionally, presence "multiple concurrent" technical, organizational, leads diverse range In other words, driving paths exhibit distinct pathways. Contribution The findings assist managers generating effective ideas, facilitating successful implementation projects, drawing valuable lessons experience China.