Purpose This study aims to reveal the dynamic evolutionary mechanisms of cross-regional collaborative innovation in construction (CRCIC), analyze the strategic interactions between project owners (POs) and cross-regional project teams (CRPTs), and identify key factors influencing CRCIC stability and diffusion. Design/methodology/approach Integrating complex adaptive systems (CAS) with evolutionary game theory (EGT), this research constructs an analytical framework operationalizing key factors as multi-level variables. Multi-scenario numerical simulations are employed to analyze the impacts of these factors on system evolutionary paths and stable equilibria. Findings The bilateral proactive innovation equilibrium emerges from multiple interacting factors. Key findings reveal: (1) System evolution exhibits strong path dependency, making initial governance critical; (2) Synergy coupling degree shows an inverted U-shaped effect on innovation diffusion, with moderate levels optimizing stability; (3) Network scale's positive effects are moderated by synergy coupling, requiring deepened cooperation quality before scale expansion; (4) Policy instrument effectiveness exhibits agent heterogeneity, with differentiated incentive-constraint combinations proving more effective; and (5) Policy effectiveness depends substantially on agents' policy perception, which mediates the translation of institutional signals into behavioral changes. Originality/value Methodologically, this study proposes and validates a CAS-EGT framework unifying institutional, network, and behavioral relationships. Practically, it illustrates key variable impacts through case-calibrated simulations, providing policymakers, POs, and CRPTs with phased, differentiated governance strategies to enhance cross-regional project innovation capabilities.
Miao et al. (Thu,) studied this question.