SSRScientific and Social Research2661-43322981-9946Bio-Byword Scientific Publishing Pty. Ltd.10.26689/ssr.v7i8.11968ArticleUrban Innovation Ecosystems and Sustainable Development in a Latecomer City: A Case Study in Zhangzhou, Chinahttps://artdesignp.com/journal/SSR/7/8/10.26689/ssr.v7i8.11968ZhangFan,LiaoLingxin2025782025-09-17Building a good innovation ecosystem for latecomer cities in regional integration can help achieve long-term sustainable development. This paper constructs a conceptual framework for urban innovation ecosystems from a life cycle perspective. This paper chose Zhangzhou City as a case to analyze the evolution of urban innovation ecosystems from 2004 to 2022. The study shows that Zhangzhou’s innovation ecosystem is growing, and the system is improving steadily. However, the impact of mobility of innovation factors on the innovation ecosystem needs attention. This paper proposes that latecomer cities further improve the governance system related to the innovation ecosystem, construct an open and shared industry-university-research collaboration mechanism, and guide society in the construction of urban innovation ecology. The finding is important for understanding the construction of innovation ecosystems in developing cities.

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