Influence of higher education performance on strategic emerging industries: A path analysis in China

Strategic emerging industries are essential in optimizing production distribution networks and mitigating environmental impacts while driving economic development. To address the challenges faced in developing such sectors, it is necessary to use higher education to facilitate talent investment and foster technological advancement. Despite the recognized contributions of higher education to economic progress, the nexus between higher education performance and strategic emerging industries remains understudied. The study investigates the relationship using data from 31 provincial-level administrative regions in mainland China from 2012 to 2021 to address this gap. Employing Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM), it reveals novel insights that higher education performance positively influences strategic emerging industries, with the technical level serving as a mediator and talent investment sequentially mediating through the technical level. Furthermore, the case study of Tongji University reinforces the conclusions. Based on the findings above, the government should formulate targeted policies to bolster higher education performance, foster talent investment, and nurture the growth of strategic emerging industries. Additionally, collaboration between universities and businesses, particularly at the technological level, should be intensified to foster continuous improvement and mutual growth. This collaboration will enhance technical capabilities, drive innovation, and promote sustainable economic development and environmental responsibility.