Measurement of R&D activity level, analysis of regional differences and spatial convergence of the foreign funded enterprises in China

Purpose Multinational companies are conducting research and development activities in China, and the scale of investment has grown rapidly, attracting significant attention from the science and technology industry. This study aims to systematically exploring the R&D activities of foreign funded enterprises, promote China’s deeper integration into global innovation and development and enhance economic competitiveness. Design/methodology/approach Based on the panel data of 30 provinces and cities in China from 2011 to 2021, this paper establishes an indicator system for the level of R&D activities across three aspects: total scale, per capita level and degree of dependence. Using the Dagum Gini coefficient, the paper discusses the overall level and regional differences. Convergence analysis is used for testing. Findings The level of R&D activities of foreign funded enterprises in China shows a distinct spatial gradient, deepening continuously from the northwestern inland areas to the southeastern coastal areas. The imbalance in the level of R&D activities is reducing gradually. Narrowing inter-regional differences is crucial. The convergence rate follows the pattern: “western region > central region > eastern region > national level”. Originality/value This study constructs an evaluation system to measure the level of R&D activities of foreign funded enterprises in China. In addition, it investigates regional differences, providing valuable insights for policymakers and practitioners in the field of innovation and technology management.