Green transformation mechanisms and implementation path for agricultural clusters:A case study of the vegetable cluster in Shouguang city,Shandong province,China

Promoting the green transformation of agricultural clusters represents an effective strategy to address pressing issues related to agricultural resources and environmental concerns.However,existing literature provides limited insights into the internal mechanisms and pathways for achieving green transformation of agricultural clusters.To address the challenges in international research on the collaborative green transformation of entire agricultural value chains,a theoretical analysis framework is constructed in this study,which is characterized by“point-line-plane three-layer embeddedness and four-force interaction,”positioning green innovation as a pivotal entry point.Through social network analysis,this study examines the processes and mechanisms underlying the collaborative green transformation of agricultural clusters and proposes viable pathways for implementation using the Shouguang vegetable industrial cluster as a case study.The research findings are as follows:(1)The green transformation of agricultural clusters includes the green transformation of cluster behavior actors(point),formation of a green innovation network(line),construction of a green environment(plane),and embedded integration and coordinated transformation of the three.Green innovations generated by leading enterprises,universities,and research institutions serve as the foundation for this transformation,whereas farmers'adoption of these innovations forms the basis,and government policies provide regulatory environment to ensure successful implementation.The transformation is realized through green collaborative innovation and governance,achieving the“three-layer embeddedness.”(2)Under the influence of four driving forces,namely,market-driven mechanisms,environmental regulations,green innovation,and multidimensional proximity,actors at various levels form and embed green innovation networks that are integrated into regional environments through institutional constraints.This results in a“five-in-one”system of collaborative green innovation and governance encompassing enterprises,industries,technologies,institutions,and spatial dimensions,which constitute the internal mechanisms for the green transformation and upgrading of agricultural clusters.(3)Building on the“three-layer and four-force”framework,this study proposes pathways for achieving the green transformation of agricultural clusters,thereby providing theoretical insights and policy recommendations for developing countries to foster green agricultural clusters and enhance their agricultural sectors'international competitiveness.