The impact on knowledge transfer to scientific and technological innovation efficiency of talents: analysis based on institutional environment in China

Knowledge transfer is considered the efficient way to improve regional innovation, but relatively little is known about how the innovation efficiency of scientific and technological (S&T) talents is affected by knowledge transfer within institutional environment, particularly, limited studies carried out regional differentiation analysis. Using panel data from 30 provinces in China between 2005 and 2017, this article empirically tests the influence of the institutional environment on knowledge transfer and analyses its impact between knowledge transfer and innovation efficiency of S&T talents in China. The results show knowledge transfer can significantly improve both the scientific and the economic innovation efficiency of S&T talents. Moreover, the effects of knowledge transfer on the innovation efficiency of S&T talents in eastern, central and western China had heterogeneity. Formal and informal institutions play mediating roles between knowledge transfer and innovation efficiency of S&T talents. This study contributes to the literature by constructing an econometric model with identified variables to test the impact of knowledge transfer on the innovation efficiency of S&T talents in China, in addition, the equation about knowledge transfer was explored. The research findings are valuable to regional governments and policymakers; our empirical evidence helps to develop more efficient strategy and policy planning.