Endogenous Mechanisms and Spatial Differences of the Evolution of Urban Technology Transfer Network in China
Technological knowledge has become the key element of regional innovation and development in the new era. Exploring the inherent mechanism of the growth and development of technology transfer network is of great significance to improve the vitality of regional innovation. However,the endogenous mechanisms and spatial differences of technology transfer network evolution is rarely studied. This study aims to gain a better understanding of the growth and development process of urban technology transfer networks in China and their spatial differences. First,this paper takes 282 cities of China as research units. Second,information on patent transferred data is subjected to ownership linkage mode to construct the urban technology transfer network,resulting in a panel dataset of 282 cities in China in 2001—2020. Finally,stochastic actor-oriented models for the evolution of networks are constructed to study the evolution of technology transfer networks and spatial heterogeneity. Results show that:(1) The evolution pattern of urban technology transfer network in China presents a "core-periphery" structure. The network exhibits strong polarization characteristics,but it is decreasing gradually. The increasingly complex tripartite relationship between cities is an important feature of network evolution. These tripartite relations not only affect the formation of link relations but also promote the differentiation of local levels of the network;(2) Endogenous structural factors are the key factors for the growth and development of urban technology transfer network in China. Reciprocity and network closure constitute the micro basis of the evolution of urban technology transfer network. Path dependence is a key force in strengthening the link relationship between urban technology transfer networks;(3) The endogenous mechanism of the evolution of urban technology transfer network in China has obvious spatial heterogeneity. In the southern region of eastern China,the urban technology transfer network has strong dynamics. Reciprocity,network closure,and path dependence have become the endogenous driving forces for the growth and development of technology transfer networks. In the northern region of eastern China,the evolution rate of the network shows a downward trend. Reciprocity and path dependence contribute to the formation of network link pattern. In the northwest inland and the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau,the network evolution rate tends to increase,but the network density is small,and only the reciprocity effect is significant. This paper will deepen the understanding of the evolution law of urban networks and provide a scientific reference for China's urban innovation and development policy.
technology transfer networksocial network analysisstochastic actor-oriented modelsnetwork evolutionendogenous mechanismspatial differenceflowing space