A Study on the Development Status and Countermeasures of “Specialized, Refined, Distinctive, and Innovative” SMEs in Zhoushan under the Vision of Common Prosperity

Abstract

To promote “common prosperity” and the high-quality development of regional economies, this study provides an in-depth analysis of the current status and challenges faced by “Specialized, Refined, Distinctive, and Innovative” (SRDI) SMEs in Zhoushan. The paper emphasizes the crucial role these enterprises play in technological innovation, enhancing market competitiveness, and driving industrial upgrading. Through systematic analysis, this study identifies several key issues, including financial constraints, talent shortages, intense market competition, and insufficient policy support, which severely limit the development and market performance of these enterprises. In response to these challenges, the study proposes a series of countermeasures and recommendations, such as increasing fiscal investment, promoting financial innovation, and fostering the development of industrial clusters. These measures aim to create a stable, equitable, and efficient support environment, stimulate the innovation potential and market vitality of the enterprises, and enhance their overall competitiveness and resilience. The implementation of these strategies is expected to effectively boost the overall regional economy and contribute to achieving common prosperity and sustainable development. This study provides practical references for optimizing SME support measures in Zhoushan and other regions across the country.

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Qin, Y. and Zhao, X. (2024) A Study on the Development Status and Countermeasures of “Specialized, Refined, Distinctive, and Innovative” SMEs in Zhoushan under the Vision of Common Prosperity. Open Access Library Journal, 11, 1-13. doi: 10.4236/oalib.1112174.

1. Introduction

In recent years, the Chinese government has placed great emphasis on implementing the concept of “common prosperity”, particularly by promoting the development of “Specialized, Refined, Distinctive, and Innovative” (SRDI) small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to optimize the economic structure and promote social equity. During the Central Committee Politburo meetings in 2021 and 2022, General Secretary Xi Jinping reiterated the importance of SRDI SMEs in addressing critical technological challenges and enhancing the resilience of industrial and supply chains. He emphasized that these enterprises are not only crucial components of national scientific and technological innovation but also deserve increased support to drive high-quality economic development. In his letter to the 2022 National SRDI SME Development Conference, General Secretary Xi further underscored the core role of SMEs in driving innovation, promoting employment, and improving people’s livelihoods. He called on SRDI SMEs to focus on their core businesses and strive for excellence, particularly in enhancing the stability of industrial and supply chains. In 2023, the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) echoed Xi Jinping’s key directives on SMEs during the fifth SME Roundtable, highlighting SRDI SMEs as a vital force in the new phase of industrialization, requiring continuous advancement in technological innovation and industrial chain collaboration.

Against this backdrop, the economic development of Zhoushan, an important marine economy city in Zhejiang Province, is particularly noteworthy. SRDI SMEs in Zhoushan play a pivotal role in driving regional economic development and industrial upgrading. Characterized by specialization, refinement, distinctiveness, and innovation, these enterprises typically focus on specific niches, building strong market competitiveness through dedicated efforts. They exhibit high flexibility and creativity in technological innovation, product development, and market expansion, becoming essential drivers of high-quality regional economic growth. Notably, Zhoushan’s SRDI SMEs have made significant progress in areas such as marine economy, shipbuilding, marine biopharmaceuticals, and new materials. However, these enterprises also face challenges such as financial constraints, talent shortages, and intense market competition as they rapidly develop.

This study aims to systematically analyze the development status of SRDI SMEs in Zhoushan, identify the development bottlenecks within the context of “common prosperity”, and propose targeted countermeasures to provide references and insights for the development of SRDI SMEs in Zhoushan and across the country.

2. Analysis of Domestic Research Status

In recent years, research on “Specialized Refined Distinctive and Innovative” (SRDI) SMEs has drawn increasing attention, not only within China but also on the international stage. This section reviews the recent domestic and international studies in this field, demonstrating the breadth and depth of research, as well as the rich theoretical and practical discussions among scholars.

Internationally, significant research has focused on the role of SMEs in technological innovation and economic development. For instance, in the United States, the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program has been widely recognized for supporting the development of innovative SMEs. Audretsch and Feldman (2004) highlighted that knowledge spillovers and regional innovation systems play a crucial role in the growth of technology-driven SMEs [1]. Similarly, in Europe, Nooteboom (1994) discussed how innovation in small firms is driven by external collaboration and the diffusion of knowledge across networks [2].

In terms of policy support, countries like Germany and the United Kingdom have implemented targeted initiatives to foster the development of SMEs. The German “Industrie 4.0” strategy emphasizes the importance of integrating SMEs into global value chains through digital transformation and technological upgrading. Likewise, the UK’s Growth Accelerator Program has provided significant support to innovative SMEs, enabling them to overcome barriers to growth and access new markets. These international policies offer valuable insights for enhancing the competitiveness and innovation capacity of Chinese SRDI SMEs.

In light of these international perspectives, it becomes evident that while China has made notable strides in supporting SRDI SMEs, there are opportunities to draw on successful international practices to further enhance the development environment for these enterprises.

Liu and Mei (2015) pointed out that by enhancing specialization, refined management, distinctiveness, and innovation capabilities, micro-enterprises can more effectively respond to market competition and changing demands [3]. Dong and Li (2021) explored the trends and pathways of SRDI SMEs in achieving high-quality development, emphasizing the importance of internal management and adapting to external environments [4]. In the same year, Sun (2021) and Lin (2021) examined how insurance and policy support can help these enterprises cope with operational risks and enhance their growth and competitiveness [5] [6]. Moving into 2022, the research by Cao et al. (2022), Zhang et al. (2022), and Lu and Gao (2022) further deepened the discussion on how innovation policies and government support can improve the innovation quality and market competitiveness of SMEs [7]-[9]. They highlighted the importance of optimizing policy design and education and training, as well as how these factors assist enterprises in better integrating into global markets. In 2023, Zhu (2023) and Xie (2023) conducted in-depth studies on the central role of innovation in driving the development of SRDI enterprises and discussed how policies can be adjusted to promote high-quality SME development [10] [11]. Additionally, Li’s (2024) research emphasized the significant role of the digital economy and optimized business environments in supporting the development and innovation of SRDI SMEs [12].

These studies indicate that the support policies and related research on SRDI SMEs are gradually transitioning from theory to practice, becoming increasingly deep and enriched. In this context, studying the development status and countermeasures of SRDI SMEs in Zhoushan under the vision of common prosperity is particularly important. This research not only aims to address the challenges these enterprises face in pursuing high-quality development but also provides a scientific basis for promoting balanced regional economic development and widespread social prosperity, while also facilitating the effective integration of theory with local practice.

3. Development Status and Challenges of “Specialized, Refined, Distinctive, and Innovative” SMEs in Zhoushan

In recent years, “Specialized, Refined, Distinctive, and Innovative” (SRDI) small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Zhoushan have achieved significant development across various fields such as the marine economy, intelligent manufacturing, new materials, and biopharmaceuticals. These enterprises have gradually consolidated their market positions through technological innovation and product differentiation, making breakthroughs in financing, technological research and development, and market expansion under the supportive policies and optimized policy environment provided by local governments. SRDI SMEs in Zhoushan are particularly strong in technological innovation and product specialization. They usually focus on specific niche areas, building unique competitive advantages through continuous investment in technology and research. In the marine equipment manufacturing sector, companies like Zhoushan COSCO Shipping Heavy Industry Co., Ltd. have developed high-end products such as very large crude carriers (VLCCs) and liquefied natural gas (LNG) carriers, which are competitive on the international stage. These vessels utilize cutting-edge hull designs and energy-saving, environmentally friendly technologies, reducing both fuel consumption and emissions to meet international environmental standards. Furthermore, Zhoushan Wanfang Yongyue Shipbuilding Co., Ltd. has specialized in advanced offshore engineering equipment, including deep-sea drilling platforms, which are utilized globally for deep-sea oil and gas exploration projects, showcasing the company’s global competitiveness in high-end marine engineering.

In the marine biopharmaceutical sector, companies such as Zhejiang Zhengda Biotechnology Co., Ltd. have developed innovative marine polysaccharide health products, which are derived from algae and are recognized for their immune-boosting and antioxidant properties. These products have gained recognition in both domestic and international markets. Additionally, Zhoushan Marine Biological Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. has been actively developing marine-derived anti-cancer drugs, which are based on natural active substances from the ocean. These drugs are currently in clinical trials and are expected to make significant contributions to the global anti-cancer drug market.

These examples highlight the important role that SRDI SMEs in Zhoushan play in driving technological innovation and economic growth, particularly in the fields of marine equipment manufacturing and marine biopharmaceuticals. To support the development of these enterprises, the Zhoushan local government has introduced various policy measures, including tax incentives, entrepreneurship subsidies, and technological innovation awards, to reduce the burden on enterprises, encourage technological innovation, and promote market expansion. Particularly in 2023, the Zhoushan government increased its support for SRDI SMEs by simplifying administrative approval processes and enhancing financial support, significantly boosting the innovation enthusiasm and market competitiveness of these enterprises. Moreover, with the rise of the global digital economy, SRDI SMEs in Zhoushan have actively pursued digital transformation. By adopting new technologies such as cloud computing, big data, and the Internet of Things (IoT), these enterprises have achieved intelligent upgrades in production management, marketing, and customer service. Digital transformation has not only improved operational efficiency but also enhanced their responsiveness to market changes, enabling them to better adapt to the rapidly evolving market demands and supply chain challenges.

Despite the significant achievements of SRDI SMEs in Zhoushan in recent years, they still face numerous challenges in their continued development. These issues not only restrict the growth of the enterprises themselves but also, to some extent, hinder the sustainable and healthy development of Zhoushan’s overall economy. The following is a detailed analysis of these challenges:

3.1. Financial Constraints

Financial constraints are a core bottleneck in the development of SRDI SMEs in Zhoushan. Although the government has provided some financial support, such as preferential loans and subsidy policies, these measures are still insufficient for large-scale investment in technological innovation projects. Enterprises typically require substantial funding for large-scale research and development, equipment upgrades, and market expansion, which is often difficult to secure through existing financing channels. SRDI enterprises are mostly concentrated in high-tech fields, where research and development costs are high, cycles are long, and risks are significant. Financial institutions tend to be conservative about these high-risk projects, making it difficult for enterprises to obtain loans. Additionally, due to the relatively low financial transparency and credit ratings of SMEs, banks apply more stringent criteria when reviewing their loan applications, further limiting their financing options. Traditional financing methods, such as bank loans, bond issuance, and equity financing, are not only challenging to access but also come with high costs, further restricting the financing capabilities of these enterprises. Despite the local government’s implementation of various policies to support SME financing, such as government-guided funds and loan interest subsidies, the coverage and effectiveness of these policies are limited. Many newly established SRDI enterprises cannot meet the qualifications or scale requirements to benefit from these policies. This financial shortfall makes it difficult for enterprises to expand production, upgrade technology, and extend their markets, ultimately impacting their competitiveness and long-term sustainability.

3.2. Talent Shortage

Another major issue currently facing SRDI SMEs in Zhoushan is the severe shortage of high-end technical and management talent. These highly skilled individuals are crucial for driving technological innovation, improving management efficiency, and expanding markets. However, such talent resources are relatively scarce in Zhoushan, posing a direct threat to the long-term development and market competitiveness of these enterprises. As a prefecture-level city, Zhoushan faces significant challenges in attracting and retaining high-end talent. First, Zhoushan’s higher education resources and research facilities are relatively limited compared to other major cities in Zhejiang province. As of 2024, the city had only one key higher education institution—Zhejiang Ocean University—compared to neighboring cities such as Ningbo and Hangzhou, which host multiple universities and research centers with strong capacities for technological and industrial research. This disparity makes it challenging for local enterprises in Zhoushan to collaborate with academic institutions on research and development projects. Additionally, while Zhejiang Ocean University has strengths in marine research, its research capabilities in other technological areas, such as biopharmaceuticals and advanced manufacturing, remain underdeveloped. As a result, enterprises often find it difficult to secure the necessary support and talent from local institutions, which can hinder their ability to innovate and expand. Although companies can recruit talent from other regions to fill this gap, Zhoushan’s living conditions, salary levels, and career development opportunities are less attractive compared to first-tier cities or other economically developed areas. This often results in external talent initially being attracted to Zhoushan but eventually leaving due to unclear development prospects or unsatisfactory living conditions. Furthermore, Zhoushan’s enterprises also face challenges in retaining high-end talent, as the disparity in salaries and living amenities compared to first-tier cities places Zhoushan at a disadvantage in the fierce competition for talent. When market conditions change or other regions offer more attractive career opportunities, these high-end talents may be drawn elsewhere, choosing to leave Zhoushan. This talent loss not only directly impacts daily operations and project continuity but also weakens the enterprises’ competitiveness and innovation capacity in critical areas such as research and market expansion. Therefore, strengthening local education resources, improving living and salary conditions, and creating more career development opportunities are essential for retaining and attracting high-end talent, promoting the sustainable development of SRDI enterprises in Zhoushan.

3.3. Intense Market Competition

SRDI SMEs in Zhoushan face a series of severe challenges amid increasingly fierce market competition. As market entry barriers continue to lower and industry thresholds decrease, more and more enterprises are entering this field, intensifying competition. Although these enterprises in Zhoushan have leading advantages in certain technological areas, they must contend with strong competition from domestic and international peers as they expand into new markets. In the domestic market, the rapid increase in the number of SRDI enterprises due to strong policy support has led to a continual division of market share by new entrants, forcing companies to constantly adjust their strategies to maintain their market positions. The competition in international markets is even more intense, particularly from technologically advanced companies in developed countries, which typically hold advantages in technological research and development, brand building, and market penetration, posing significant challenges to enterprises in Zhoushan. Moreover, the rapid iteration and upgrading of technology in market competition require companies to continually invest resources in updating their technology. For resource-limited SMEs, this is a substantial burden. As the number of competitors increases, price competition also becomes more intense, leading to shrinking profit margins and exacerbating operational difficulties. In such a fiercely competitive market environment, some enterprises may struggle to gain sufficient market share in the short term, facing risks such as cash flow disruptions or inability to sustain operations. This not only threatens the survival of these enterprises but also affects the stability of the regional economy. Therefore, SRDI enterprises in Zhoushan urgently need to adjust their strategies and enhance their competitiveness to cope with the ever-changing market environment.

3.4. Limitations in Policy Support and Legal Framework

During the development of SRDI SMEs in Zhoushan, several major issues exist in the current policy support framework, limiting the growth and market performance of these enterprises. First, the effectiveness of tax support is limited. Although the government has implemented direct tax incentives, such as tax reductions and preferential tax rates, indirect incentives such as accelerated depreciation, deferred tax payments, and tax rebates are rarely applied. Furthermore, the current tax incentives are mainly focused on income tax, with limited involvement of other taxes, such as value-added tax, which ignores the different impacts of various taxes on enterprise development. More critically, the tax incentives lack targeted applicability, especially for SRDI SMEs. During the initial stages of research and development and the transformation of technological achievements, SMEs and large high-tech enterprises enjoy the same tax incentives without considering the differences in enterprise scale, leading to larger companies benefiting more. Additionally, the legal hierarchy of tax incentives is relatively low, often issued in the form of notices and guidance, lacking the binding force of law, which limits the effectiveness of policy enforcement. Secondly, the public service system also requires significant improvement. Currently, the public service system for SMEs in China is still in its early stages, with services mainly provided by government agencies, including financial benefits and information consulting. However, this system has not effectively mobilized the participation of intermediary organizations, industry associations, chambers of commerce, and large enterprises, resulting in the actual needs of SMEs not being fully met, thereby limiting their development potential and market opportunities. Thirdly, the lack of robust legal protection is another prominent issue. Particularly in areas such as technological innovation and fair market competition for SMEs, the intellectual property protection system and related laws and regulations are still inadequate. The absence of targeted regional or specialized regulations, coupled with weak enforcement and supervision mechanisms for existing laws, often results in these laws remaining ineffective and only existing on paper. These issues significantly affect the stable development of SRDI enterprises and their ability to compete in an intense market environment.

3.5. Lack of Market Support and Management Guidance

Currently, China’s support policies for SRDI SMEs primarily focus on supply-side investment in capital and talent, while relatively neglecting demand-side market support and management guidance, leading to a series of implementation and effectiveness issues. First, there are significant deficiencies in the guarantee mechanisms within government procurement activities. Although policies qualitatively encourage local governments to increase their procurement of innovative products from SRDI enterprises, no specific quantitative regulations or clear implementation guidelines have been established, reducing the enforceability of these policies. Additionally, the guidelines for procurement direction and evaluation methods are overly vague, resulting in uncertainties and gray areas in policy implementation, with a lack of clear operational standards and assessment mechanisms. Taking Zhoushan as an example, many policy documents remain at a normative level, lacking legal effectiveness and strict standardization, making it difficult to ensure effective implementation of policies. For instance, the *Zhejiang SME Promotion Regulation* outlines financial support policies for SRDI enterprises. However, due to the absence of specific operational guidelines and standards, companies often face complex approval procedures and unclear eligibility criteria, which reduce the effectiveness of policy implementation. Additionally, various local government innovation incentive policies, such as R&D subsidies and tax reduction measures, while clearly stipulated in the documents, often fail to deliver benefits to enterprises in practice because of the lack of systematic evaluation standards and execution mechanisms. These policies, with low legal effectiveness and insufficient standardization, significantly limit the innovation capacity and market competitiveness of SRDI enterprises. Secondly, the support measures for overseas markets are insufficient. Although policies exist to support the internationalization of SRDI enterprises, such as organizing cross-border matchmaking events and supporting participation in international exhibitions, the actual effectiveness of these measures is limited and has not adequately addressed the cross-border market challenges faced by enterprises. Short-term export credit, as well as exemptions from certification, taxes, and guarantees at the export stage, are available but are typically implemented by only a few financial institutions or local governments, lacking widespread applicability and sustainability. Most SRDI export enterprises still face issues such as tight finances, insufficient information, and limited sales channels. Additionally, the absence of effective policy support for establishing overseas branches, such as the lack of overseas trade organizations or global platforms, limits the enterprises’ competitiveness and market expansion in international markets.

4. Research Countermeasures and Optimization Paths

In response to the major challenges faced by “Specialized, Refined, Distinctive, and Innovative” (SRDI) small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Zhoushan during their development process, this paper proposes the following countermeasures and suggestions to help these enterprises overcome development bottlenecks and achieve sustainable and healthy growth.

4.1. Increase Fiscal Investment and Financial Innovation

To effectively address the issue of financial constraints faced by SRDI SMEs, it is recommended to enhance the performance and guiding role of funds by innovating funding support methods. First, the approach used in the United States can be adopted by shifting from direct fiscal subsidies to indirect financial support. Specific measures include establishing policy-based loan guarantee institutions or having the government act as an intermediary between enterprises and lenders, providing financing guarantees to increase the success rate of SME financing. Second, a financing system tailored to the development needs of SRDI enterprises should be established, drawing on the indirect financing models of Japan and Germany. Policy banks and commercial banks should be guided to develop targeted financial products, including first-time loans, long-term low-interest loans, and convenient renewal services, to enhance credit support for these enterprises.

Simultaneously, these enterprises should be encouraged to conduct direct financing through capital markets, taking advantage of the establishment of the Beijing Stock Exchange to improve the multi-level capital market system and establish a listing cultivation mechanism for SRDI enterprises, providing listing convenience for well-performing companies. The government should also increase fiscal support, particularly by providing precise financial subsidies and special support for research and development projects and market expansion plans, such as direct fiscal subsidies, tax incentives, and additional deductions for R&D expenses, to reduce the cost burden of innovation and market expansion for enterprises.

Additionally, financial institutions should be guided by the government to introduce more targeted financial products, such as low-interest loans and innovative venture capital funds, to help enterprises reduce financing costs and share the risks of high-investment innovation projects. By innovating financial service models, such as developing supply chain finance and promoting intellectual property pledge loans, enterprises can leverage their stable business flow in the industrial chain to convert it into a financing advantage. To ensure the effective implementation of these measures, it is recommended that the government establish special funds specifically to support high-risk, high-investment innovation projects, providing long-term, low-cost financing channels for enterprises, alleviating the financial pressure brought by innovation, and helping enterprises gain a favorable position in market competition.

4.2. Talent Development and Introduction

The education systems and talent guarantee mechanisms of developed countries provide a large pool of specialized talent for SMEs through training and education systems. Germany’s “dual-system” vocational education system is particularly prominent, where students study theoretical knowledge in vocational schools while also interning in enterprises, combining theory and practice. This model not only cultivates students’ professional skills but also enables many apprentices to become full-time employees after completing their training, thereby reducing the efficiency loss and cost increase associated with employing unskilled workers.

However, the talent shortage faced by SRDI enterprises in Zhoushan, particularly the lack of high-end technical and management talent, remains a significant barrier to their development. To address this issue, it is recommended that the government and enterprises strengthen cooperation with universities and research institutions, establishing closer ties to jointly set up talent training bases and specialized internship training programs to directly supply enterprises with locally trained talent possessing practical operational skills. This “customized” talent training model can effectively alleviate the supply-demand imbalance in human resources.

At the same time, the local government should improve and introduce more attractive talent recruitment policies, such as offering housing subsidies, optimizing educational resources for employees’ children, and improving urban infrastructure, to enhance Zhoushan’s appeal to high-end talent from other regions. Enterprises should also actively participate in the construction of “industry-academia-research” collaboration platforms, working together with universities and research institutes to cultivate innovative talent. This cooperation not only helps to address the talent shortage faced by enterprises but also improves the quality of local higher education, creating a virtuous cycle that benefits both the local area and enterprises, thereby optimizing the allocation of talent resources within the region.

4.3. Optimizing the Policy Environment

To enhance the market position of SRDI enterprises, it is crucial to build a comprehensive legal framework. On one hand, it is necessary to improve the legislative system for the development of SRDI enterprises, which requires adjusting existing laws to ensure fair market competition, promote the integrated development of large, medium, and small enterprises, and protect intellectual property rights. On the other hand, the enforcement of existing laws and regulations such as the “Anti-Monopoly Law” and the “Patent Law” should be strengthened, with increased enforcement in key industries. Any behavior that harms the development of SRDI enterprises should be strictly punished and publicly disclosed to maintain an open, fair, and just market order.

The difficulties in implementing policies during the execution process significantly affect the effective utilization of policy support by SRDI SMEs in Zhoushan. Therefore, the government needs to take practical measures to optimize the policy execution environment, ensuring that enterprises can easily and quickly access policy support. It is recommended that the government simplify approval processes, lower the thresholds for enterprises to obtain policy support, and enhance the transparency and efficiency of policy implementation. Specifically, a unified policy information platform should be established to centralize all support policies related to SRDI enterprises, with real-time updates on policy implementation progress, ensuring that enterprises can always access and understand the latest policy information.

Furthermore, the government should establish specialized policy consultation and service institutions to provide personalized, one-on-one guidance for policy applications, helping enterprises smoothly complete the policy application process and reduce obstacles in policy execution. These measures not only improve the effectiveness of policy implementation but also enhance enterprises’ confidence in government support, stimulating their innovation potential and market vitality, thereby providing strong support for the healthy development of Zhoushan’s economy.

4.4. Promoting Industrial Cluster Development

To strengthen the risk resistance and overall competitiveness of SRDI SMEs in the fierce market competition, promoting the development of industrial clusters is an effective strategy. The government should actively support and encourage collaboration among enterprises, integrating and optimizing regional industrial resources to form close cooperative relationships between upstream and downstream enterprises in the industrial chain. By building industrial clusters, synergies can be created among enterprises, enhancing overall competitiveness and innovation capabilities. For example, in areas with industrial advantages, the government can guide and support enterprises through policy incentives and financial support, encouraging collaboration in technology research and development, market expansion, and resource sharing, thereby forming internationally competitive industrial clusters. Additionally, by attracting and guiding related supporting enterprises and service organizations to settle in the region, the layout of the regional industrial chain can be improved, enhancing the competitiveness and sustainable development capabilities of the entire industrial cluster. This economic development model based on industrial clusters can not only help SMEs establish themselves in market competition but also promote the overall advancement of the regional economy, achieving a win-win situation for both enterprises and local economies.

Furthermore, to assist enterprises in expanding into overseas markets, the government should actively build platforms leveraging the “Belt and Road Initiative” and the “Internet Plus” strategy, providing organizational support, financial backing, and marketing assistance from the perspectives of global production, global marketing, and global research and development to promote the globalization of SRDI enterprises. At the same time, the government should monitor changes in the international trade landscape, guiding SRDI enterprises to promptly adjust their export market strategies and directions, cultivating differentiated competitive advantages, and exploring gaps in the industrial and value chains to create competitive products and strengthen their unique market positions. Additionally, the government can guide SRDI SMEs to integrate into the industrial chain systems of large enterprises, producing and exporting products that are interdependent with large enterprises, thereby leveraging the mature export systems and sales networks of large enterprises to expand their own overseas markets.

5. Conclusion

As a crucial pillar of regional economic development, the “Specialized, Refined, Distinctive, and Innovative” (SRDI) small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in Zhoushan play a significant role in achieving the goal of “common prosperity.” These enterprises are indispensable in driving technological innovation, industrial upgrading, and market expansion, making them key drivers of high-quality economic development in Zhoushan. However, these enterprises still face a series of challenges in their development, including financial constraints, talent shortages, intense market competition, and difficulties in policy implementation. To address these challenges, this paper proposes countermeasures such as increasing fiscal investment and financial innovation, strengthening talent development and recruitment, optimizing the policy environment, and promoting the development of industrial clusters. The implementation of these measures will not only effectively overcome the current bottlenecks restricting the development of SRDI SMEs but also significantly enhance their competitiveness and innovation capabilities, driving their sustainable and healthy growth. At the same time, the implementation of these countermeasures will provide strong support for Zhoushan’s progress in achieving common prosperity and advancing economic transformation and upgrading, contributing to the overall enhancement and long-term development of the regional economy. Through collaborative efforts, the SRDI SMEs in Zhoushan are expected to achieve even greater success in the future, making a more significant contribution to regional economic prosperity and the realization of common prosperity.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

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