Does innovative city construction improve the industry–university–research knowledge flow in urban China?

This study measured the knowledge innovation efficiency (KIE) and knowledge transformation efficiency (KTE) of industry–university–research knowledge flow using super-efficiency data envelopment analysis method. Furthermore, spatial difference-in-difference model was used to investigate the effect of innovative city pilot policy (ICPP) on KIE and KTE. The results indicated that ICPP had a significantly positive influence on KIE and KTE. The robustness of this result was verified. Moreover, the relationship scale of the urban innovation network had a significant inverted U-shaped effect on KIE and KTE, and the centrality of the urban innovation network had a significant positive influence on KIE and KTE. Meanwhile, innovation financial support partially mediated ICPP's effect on KIE, and innovation cooperation dependence partially mediated ICPP's effect on KTE. This study expands theoretical analyses of ICPP's effects on the KIE and KTE of industry–university–research knowledge flow, giving consideration to spatial spillover effects. We also extend the research by considering the effect of changes in the innovation potential of pilot cities on KIE and KTE.