Driving Successful Environmental Pilot Policy Diffusion in China: A Multi‐Mechanism Configurational Framework

ABSTRACT Despite the extensive development of policy diffusion literature, its Western‐oriented foundations constrain broader applicability, and empirical investigations on how multiple mechanisms interact in non‐Western contexts remain limited. This study addressed these gaps by examining the configurational paths driving successful environmental pilot policy diffusion in China. Within an integrated theoretical framework, it explores six key mechanisms—typification, coercion, learning, competition, imitation, and social construction. Using fuzzy‐set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA) on 30 cases, the research identifies five configurations that drive successful diffusion: “mandatory force,” “comprehensive pressure,” “selective support,” “facilitated promotion,” and “central‐local interaction.” The results highlight the clarity of policy goals as a fundamental factor in distinguishing coercion from typification and reveal a functional connection between imitation and social construction. These findings refine diffusion theory and enhance its relevance for understanding China's top‐down policy system.