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The Impact of Smart City Construction on Path Dependence in Resource-Based Cities of Different Types

Yiting Li
Academic Journal of Management Science and Engineering, (2026), Vol.1, No.7, pp.60-70
Published: October 24, 2026
DOI: 10.62051/ajmse.v1n7.06
PDF: Download Full Text PDF
Abstract

This paper examines how smart city construction affects the path dependence of resource-based cities. Such cities currently suffer from an imbalanced industrial structure, and smart city initiatives offer a window of opportunity for their transformation. The paper reviews the origins of the smart city idea, the state of domestic and international research, and the literature connecting the two fields; it then characterises path dependence in resource-based cities and specifies the transmission mechanisms through which smart city construction acts upon it. Drawing on the cases of Yangquan in Shanxi Province and Daqing in Heilongjiang Province, the study identifies success factors—most notably top-level design and the development of distinctive industries anchored in local resource endowments—alongside persistent weaknesses in funding security, data integration and talent matching. The findings suggest that smart city construction can help resource-based cities break out of path dependence, but only if these weaknesses are addressed. Future research may probe the underlying mechanisms at the micro level and broaden its geographical scope, thereby offering theoretical and practical guidance for resource-based cities seeking high-quality transformation through smart city development.

Keywords: Smart City, Resource-based City, Path Dependence, Transformation and Upgrading
APA Citation: Yiting Li (2026). The Impact of Smart City Construction on Path Dependence in Resource-Based Cities of Different Types. Academic Journal of Management Science and Engineering, 1(7), 60-70. https://doi.org/10.62051/ajmse.v1n7.06

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