How Can the Diffusion of Digital Education Policies Be Advanced in Regions With Diverse Educational Conditions?—Qualitative Comparative Analysis of Chinese Policy

Advancing digital education innovation has become a global necessity. Policy innovation serves as both its basic and guiding principle for practical breakthroughs. Examining the synergistic impact of multiple factors on the diffusion of digital education policies aids in delineating diverse developmental trajectories and offers strategic insights for different regions. This study constructed an index system for K-12 digital education, analysed the policies across China's 31 provinces, and applied fsQCA to uncover the synergistic effect of influencing factors. Collaboration among multiple factors drives the diffusion. Four types of configurations positively influenced the diffusion breadth of policies. Two types of configurations positively influenced the diffusion intensity of policies. In regions with limited educational resources, four factors warrant increased attention: school administrators, government administrators, educational competitive pressures, and the rate of Internet access among households. In advanced regions, the symbiotic relationship between governments and industries can address challenges more effectively.