DATA-DRIVEN EVALUATION OF REGIONAL SCI-TECH FINANCE EFFICIENCY

Sci-tech finance is the catalyst for the transformation of technological progress into real productivity. Hence, to improve sci-tech finance efficiency and promote high-quality regional economy development, a data-driven evaluation model of sci-tech finance efficiency is constructed. The collected data are processed using the DEA-Malmquist index. The efficiency level of sci-tech finance is determined according to the Total Factor Productivity index, and the main influencing factors of sci-tech finance efficiency are determined through the decomposition analysis of this index. This study calculates the efficiency level and dynamic change of sci-tech finance in the Yangtze River Delta. The results show that technological progress is an important factor affecting sci-tech finance efficiency. Surprisingly, the growth of R&D personnel has a negligible effect on sci-tech financial efficiency instead, and Shanghai ranked third in terms of sci-tech financial efficiency, which is no match for Zhejiang and Jiangsu provinces. Hence, we propose targeted suggestions to improve sci-tech finance efficiency in the Yangtze River Delta. This study not only provides theoretical and methodological support for the evaluation of regional sci-tech financial efficiency but also provides a reference for sci-tech finance policymakers and researchers.