IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v12y2020i6p2204-d331731.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Structural Characteristics and Spatial Patterns of the Technology Transfer Network in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area

Author

Listed:
  • Zhijun Feng

    (School of Economic and Management, Dongguan University of Technology, Dongguan 523808, China)

  • Hechang Cai

    (School of Economic and Management, Dongguan University of Technology, Dongguan 523808, China
    Faculty of Management and Economics, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming 650000, China)

  • Wen Zhou

    (College of System Engineering, National University of Defense Technology, Changsha 410073, China)

Abstract

Recently, the Chinese government released the Outline of the Development Plan for the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), raising the development of the GBA urban agglomeration to a national strategy. An efficient technology transfer network is conducive to promoting the integrated and coordinated development and enhancing the scientific and technological innovation capabilities of the GBA urban agglomeration. Therefore, this study uses the patent transaction data for three years (2010, 2014, and 2018), integrates data mining, and uses complex network analysis, based on full-flow and net-flow networks, from the overall characteristics, network node strength, network association, network node importance, and network communities to reveal the structural characteristics and spatial patterns of the technology transfer network in the GBA. The results revealed that: (1) Technology transfer networks (full-flow and net-flow) in the GBA show heterogeneity. (2) Full-flow network presents a clear hierarchy within the GBA, showing a “two poles and two strong” pattern, and technology transfer has the same city preference; outside the GBA, there are close technology transfer regions that have technical and geographical proximity characteristics; the net-flow network presents a “one pole, two strong” pattern, and Guangzhou has become the core region of the net-flow network. (3) Connection objects of the technology transfer network have path dependence and spatial preference. Coexistence of concentration and decentralization characterizes the spatial flow. (4) Spatial distribution of the hub and authority of the technology transfer network is heterogeneous and hierarchical. Each city in the GBA has its own technological advantages. (5) Spatial clustering characteristics of the community within the technology transfer network are obvious. (6) The GBA is dominated by the transfer of patented technology in the high-tech industry, while the transfer of patented technology in the traditional manufacturing industry also plays an important role.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhijun Feng & Hechang Cai & Wen Zhou, 2020. "Structural Characteristics and Spatial Patterns of the Technology Transfer Network in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(6), pages 1-28, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:6:p:2204-:d:331731
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/6/2204/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/12/6/2204/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Eaton, Jonathan & Kortum, Samuel, 1996. "Trade in ideas Patenting and productivity in the OECD," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 40(3-4), pages 251-278, May.
    2. Paul Almeida & Bruce Kogut, 1999. "Localization of Knowledge and the Mobility of Engineers in Regional Networks," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 45(7), pages 905-917, July.
    3. Roderik Ponds & Frank van Oort & Koen Frenken, 2010. "Innovation, spillovers and university--industry collaboration: an extended knowledge production function approach," Journal of Economic Geography, Oxford University Press, vol. 10(2), pages 231-255, March.
    4. Guido Buenstorf & Matthias Geissler, 2013. "Not Invented Here: Technology Licensing, Knowledge Transfer and Innovation Based on Public Research," Economic Complexity and Evolution, in: Guido Buenstorf & Uwe Cantner & Horst Hanusch & Michael Hutter & Hans-Walter Lorenz & Fritz Rahmeyer (ed.), The Two Sides of Innovation, edition 127, pages 77-107, Springer.
    5. Gupeng Zhang & Hongbo Duan & Jianghua Zhou, 2016. "Investigating determinants of inter-regional technology transfer in China: a network analysis with provincial patent data," Review of Managerial Science, Springer, vol. 10(2), pages 345-364, March.
    6. Romer, Paul M, 1990. "Endogenous Technological Change," Journal of Political Economy, University of Chicago Press, vol. 98(5), pages 71-102, October.
    7. Coe, David T. & Helpman, Elhanan, 1995. "International R&D spillovers," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 39(5), pages 859-887, May.
    8. van Elkan, Rachel, 1996. "Catching up and slowing down: Learning and growth patterns in an open economy," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 41(1-2), pages 95-111, August.
    9. Duranton, Gilles & Puga, Diego, 2004. "Micro-foundations of urban agglomeration economies," Handbook of Regional and Urban Economics, in: J. V. Henderson & J. F. Thisse (ed.), Handbook of Regional and Urban Economics, edition 1, volume 4, chapter 48, pages 2063-2117, Elsevier.
    10. David J. Teece, 2008. "Technology Transfer By Multinational Firms: The Resource Cost Of Transferring Technological Know-How," World Scientific Book Chapters, in: The Transfer And Licensing Of Know-How And Intellectual Property Understanding the Multinational Enterprise in the Modern World, chapter 1, pages 1-22, World Scientific Publishing Co. Pte. Ltd..
    11. Wolfgang Keller, 2002. "Geographic Localization of International Technology Diffusion," American Economic Review, American Economic Association, vol. 92(1), pages 120-142, March.
    12. M. V. Posner, 1961. "International Trade And Technical Change," Oxford Economic Papers, Oxford University Press, vol. 13(3), pages 323-341.
    13. Ilwon Seo, 2019. "Regions’ Technology Brokerage Patterns and Dynamics for Regional Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-15, May.
    14. Dezhong Duan & Yang Zhang & Ying Chen & Debin Du, 2019. "Regional Integration in the Inter-City Technology Transfer System of the Yangtze River Delta, China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(10), pages 1-19, May.
    15. Janet Bercovitz & Maryann Feldman, 2006. "Entpreprenerial Universities and Technology Transfer: A Conceptual Framework for Understanding Knowledge-Based Economic Development," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 31(1), pages 175-188, January.
    16. Ilwon Seo & Jung Won Sonn, 2019. "The persistence of inter‐regional hierarchy in technology transfer networks: An analysis of Chinese patent licensing data," Growth and Change, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 50(1), pages 145-163, March.
    17. Yuandi Wang & Xin Pan & Lutao Ning & Jian Li & Jin Chen, 2015. "Technology exchange patterns in China: an analysis of regional data," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 40(2), pages 252-272, April.
    18. Chengliang Liu & Caicheng Niu & Ji Han, 2019. "Spatial Dynamics of Intercity Technology Transfer Networks in China’s Three Urban Agglomerations: A Patent Transaction Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-24, March.
    19. Nogueria Dias, Cleidson & Hoffmann, Valmir Emil & Martinez-Fernandez, Maria Teresa, 2019. "Resource complementarities in R&D network for innovation performance: evidence from the agricultural sector in Brazil and Spain," International Food and Agribusiness Management Review, International Food and Agribusiness Management Association, vol. 22(2).
    20. Wolfgang Keller, 2004. "International Technology Diffusion," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 42(3), pages 752-782, September.
    21. Cheng, Leonard K. & Qiu, Larry D. & Tan, Guofu, 2005. "Foreign direct investment and international trade in a continuum Ricardian trade model," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 77(2), pages 477-501, August.
    22. Lachang Lyu & Weiping Wu & Haipeng Hu & Ru Huang, 2019. "An evolving regional innovation network: collaboration among industry, university, and research institution in China’s first technology hub," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 44(3), pages 659-680, June.
    23. Michaela Trippl, 2013. "Scientific Mobility and Knowledge Transfer at the Interregional and Intraregional Level," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 47(10), pages 1653-1667, November.
    24. Yingcheng Li & Nicholas Phelps, 2018. "Megalopolis unbound: Knowledge collaboration and functional polycentricity within and beyond the Yangtze River Delta Region in China, 2014," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 55(2), pages 443-460, February.
    25. Nordensvard, Johan & Zhou, Yuan & Zhang, Xiao, 2018. "Innovation core, innovation semi-periphery and technology transfer: The case of wind energy patents," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 120(C), pages 213-227.
    26. Bozeman, Barry, 2000. "Technology transfer and public policy: a review of research and theory," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 29(4-5), pages 627-655, April.
    27. Qinchang Gui & Debin Du & Chengliang Liu, 2019. "The geography of intercity technology transfer networks in China," Regional Studies, Regional Science, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 6(1), pages 395-398, January.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Feng, Zhijun & Cai, Hechang & Chen, Zinan & Zhou, Wen, 2022. "Influence of an interurban innovation network on the innovation capacity of China: A multiplex network perspective," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 180(C).
    2. Diexin Chen & Yuxiang Xiao & Kaicheng Huang & Xiumin Li, 2022. "Research on the Correlation and Influencing Factors of Digital Technology Innovation in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(22), pages 1-18, November.
    3. Mingbo Sun & Xueqing Zhang & Xiaoxiao Zhang, 2022. "The Impact of a Multilevel Innovation Network and Government Support on Innovation Performance—An Empirical Study of the Chengdu–Chongqing City Cluster," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-17, June.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Wei Yang & Xiang Yu & Dian Wang & Jinrui Yang & Ben Zhang, 2021. "Spatio-temporal evolution of technology flows in China: patent licensing networks 2000–2017," The Journal of Technology Transfer, Springer, vol. 46(5), pages 1674-1703, October.
    2. Gong, Guan & Keller, Wolfgang, 2003. "Convergence and polarization in global income levels: a review of recent results on the role of international technology diffusion," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 32(6), pages 1055-1079, June.
    3. Jorge Crespo & Carmela Martin & Francisco Javier Velázquez, 2002. "International technology diffusion through imports and its impact on economic growth," European Economy Group Working Papers 12, European Economy Group.
    4. Chongfeng Wang & Gupeng Zhang, 2019. "Examining the moderating effect of technology spillovers embedded in the intra- and inter-regional collaborative innovation networks of China," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 119(2), pages 561-593, May.
    5. Damijan, Jože P. & Kostevc, Crt, 2007. "Knowledge Transfer, Innovation and Growth," Papers DYNREG06, Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI).
    6. Cem Ertur & Wilfried Koch, 2007. "Growth, technological interdependence and spatial externalities: theory and evidence," Journal of Applied Econometrics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 22(6), pages 1033-1062.
    7. Klenow, Peter J. & Rodriguez-Clare, Andres, 2005. "Externalities and Growth," Handbook of Economic Growth, in: Philippe Aghion & Steven Durlauf (ed.), Handbook of Economic Growth, edition 1, volume 1, chapter 11, pages 817-861, Elsevier.
    8. Adams, Kweku & Attah-Boakye, Rexford & Yu, Honglan & Chu, Irene & Mali, Dafydd, 2024. "African Continental Free Trade Area and Regional Trade in ICT and Digital Technologies," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 30(4).
    9. Laura Bottazzi & Giovanni Peri, 2005. "The International Dynamics of R&D and Innovation in the Short and in the Long Run," NBER Working Papers 11524, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    10. Cem Ertur & Wilfried Koch, 2008. "A Contribution to the Schumpeterian Growth Theory and Empirics," Post-Print halshs-00327641, HAL.
    11. Yasar, Mahmut & Morrison Paul, Catherine J., 2007. "International linkages and productivity at the plant level: Foreign direct investment, exports, imports and licensing," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 71(2), pages 373-388, April.
    12. Cem Ertur & Wilfried Koch, 2011. "A contribution to the theory and empirics of Schumpeterian growth with worldwide interactions," Journal of Economic Growth, Springer, vol. 16(3), pages 215-255, September.
    13. Pranpreya Sriwannawit & Ulf Sandström, 2015. "Large-scale bibliometric review of diffusion research," Scientometrics, Springer;Akadémiai Kiadó, vol. 102(2), pages 1615-1645, February.
    14. Chengliang Liu & Caicheng Niu & Ji Han, 2019. "Spatial Dynamics of Intercity Technology Transfer Networks in China’s Three Urban Agglomerations: A Patent Transaction Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(6), pages 1-24, March.
    15. Yasar, Mahmut & Rejesus, Roderick M., 2020. "International linkages, technology transfer, and the skilled labor wage share: Evidence from plant-level data in Indonesia," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 128(C).
    16. G. Serrano-Domingo & B. Cabrer-Borrás, 2017. "Direct and indirect knowledge spillovers and industrial productivity," Industry and Innovation, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 24(2), pages 165-189, February.
    17. Gábor Békés & Péter Harasztosi, 2020. "Machine imports, technology adoption, and local spillovers," Review of World Economics (Weltwirtschaftliches Archiv), Springer;Institut für Weltwirtschaft (Kiel Institute for the World Economy), vol. 156(2), pages 343-375, May.
    18. Hyuk-Soo Kwon & Jihong Lee & Sokbae Lee & Ryungha Oh, 2022. "Knowledge spillovers and patent citations: trends in geographic localization, 1976–2015," Economics of Innovation and New Technology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 31(3), pages 123-147, April.
    19. Adam Jaffe & Manuel Trajtenberg, 1999. "International Knowledge Flows: Evidence From Patent Citations," Economics of Innovation and New Technology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 8(1-2), pages 105-136.
    20. James B. Ang & Jakob B. Madsen, 2012. "Risk capital, private credit, and innovative production," Canadian Journal of Economics/Revue canadienne d'économique, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 45(4), pages 1608-1639, November.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:6:p:2204-:d:331731. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.