Abstract: With the utilization and development of cutting-edge technologies such as big data technology and meta-universe, the construction of smart city has undergone several versions of pilot and upgrading, and has entered the critical development stage of providing convenient public services for urban residents continuously. Combined with TOE theoretical framework, the specific operation status of Chinese smart cities is investigated from the application of big data technology as entry point, and optimal combination development path affecting the effective operation of smart cities was explored. The method of fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis was used to conduct configuration analysis of the differences of smart city operation capabilities from three dimensions: technology, organization and environment. The findings are as follows. (1) Technological, organizational and environmental factors alone cannot be the necessary conditions for the improvement of smart city operation capacity, but technological capacity, economic development and scientific and technological innovation have general advantages in the improvement of smart city operation capacity; (2) The combination of three dimensions of conditional variables constitutes an effective path to drive the improvement of smart city operation capability, including “talent core-technology support type”, “talent core-organization support type”, “technology core type”, and “environment core-technology support type”. (3) The four types of combination paths will lead to the low level of smart city operation capacity, among which the low performance of digital governance, the insufficient effect of policies and regulations and the lack of scientific and technological innovation ability are the main influencing factors.