IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/kap/jgeosy/v24y2022i1d10.1007_s10109-021-00358-2.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Exploring the dynamics of the disaggregated intercity corporate network in the Yangtze River Delta, China: a relational event approach

Author

Listed:
  • Luqi Li

    (Zhejiang University of Technology
    East China Normal University
    Ghent University)

  • Ben Derudder

    (Ghent University
    KU Leuven Public Governance Institute)

  • Wei Shen

    (Deakin University)

  • Xiang Kong

    (East China Normal University)

Abstract

There has been a proliferation of studies trying to explain the driving forces behind the formation and evolution of intercity corporate networks. Previous approaches, however, require the input of aggregated data such as the connectivities of cities, a static network or a few discrete-time network snapshots. This may potentially cause the loss of information on the microscopic dynamics in corporate networks. In this paper, we explore the use of an approach invoking relational event models (REM), which has the advantage of being able to directly process continuously recorded disaggregated data on the establishment of each office. This allows for a more fine-grained analysis of the dynamics underlying the formation of the network. To demonstrate its potential in this research field, this paper applies REM to explain the temporal dynamics of the intercity corporate network in the Yangtze River Delta region of China. The result shows that there are preferential attachment and persistence effects in the evolution of the network, and this alongside the impact of several city covariates. Nonetheless, REM relies on event history and cannot model the forward-looking process in firms’ location choice. The lack of detailed information regarding the date of the establishment of offices also poses a challenge to the application of REM in the study of corporate networks. We also conclude that it may be fruitful to apply REM to other forms of intercity networks, especially those significantly affected by event histories, such as commuting and knowledge networks.

Suggested Citation

  • Luqi Li & Ben Derudder & Wei Shen & Xiang Kong, 2022. "Exploring the dynamics of the disaggregated intercity corporate network in the Yangtze River Delta, China: a relational event approach," Journal of Geographical Systems, Springer, vol. 24(1), pages 115-140, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jgeosy:v:24:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1007_s10109-021-00358-2
    DOI: 10.1007/s10109-021-00358-2
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s10109-021-00358-2
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: Access to full text is restricted to subscribers.
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1007/s10109-021-00358-2?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Tom Broekel & Marcel Bednarz, 2018. "Disentangling link formation and dissolution in spatial networks: An Application of a Two-Mode STERGM to a Project-Based R&D Network in the German Biotechnology Industry," Networks and Spatial Economics, Springer, vol. 18(3), pages 677-704, September.
    2. Xingjian Liu & Ben Derudder & Yaolin Liu & Frank Witlox & Wei Shen, 2013. "A Stochastic Actor-Based Modelling of the Evolution of an Intercity Corporate Network," Environment and Planning A, , vol. 45(4), pages 947-966, April.
    3. Xingjian Liu & Ben Derudder & Yaolin Liu, 2015. "Regional geographies of intercity corporate networks: The use of exponential random graph models to assess regional network-formation," Papers in Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 94(1), pages 109-126, March.
    4. Sandra Vinciguerra & Koen Frenken & Marco Valente, 2010. "The Geography of Internet Infrastructure: An Evolutionary Simulation Approach Based on Preferential Attachment," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 47(9), pages 1969-1984, August.
    5. Ron A. Boschma & Koen Frenken, 2006. "Why is economic geography not an evolutionary science? Towards an evolutionary economic geography," Journal of Economic Geography, Oxford University Press, vol. 6(3), pages 273-302, June.
    6. Weiyang Zhang & Ben Derudder & Jianghao Wang & Wei Shen, 2018. "Regionalization in the Yangtze River Delta, China, from the perspective of inter-city daily mobility," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 52(4), pages 528-541, April.
    7. Ben Derudder & Peter J. Taylor, 2018. "Central flow theory: comparative connectivities in the world-city network," Regional Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 52(8), pages 1029-1040, August.
    8. Cilem Hazir & Corinne Autant-Bernard, 2014. "Determinants of cross-regional R&D collaboration: some empirical evidence from Europe in biotechnology," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 53(2), pages 369-393, September.
    9. Mikhail Martynovich, 2017. "The role of local embeddedness and non-local knowledge in entrepreneurial activity," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 49(4), pages 741-762, December.
    10. Tom Broekel & Pierre-Alexandre Balland & Martijn Burger & Frank Oort, 2014. "Modeling knowledge networks in economic geography: a discussion of four methods," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 53(2), pages 423-452, September.
    11. Viacheslav Iurkov & Gabriel R G Benito, 2018. "Domestic alliance networks and regional strategies of MNEs: A structural embeddedness perspective," Journal of International Business Studies, Palgrave Macmillan;Academy of International Business, vol. 49(8), pages 1033-1059, October.
    12. Ben Derudder & Peter J. Taylor, 2020. "Three Globalizations Shaping the Twenty-first Century: Understanding the New World Geography through Its Cities," Annals of the American Association of Geographers, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 110(6), pages 1831-1854, November.
    13. Wouter Jacobs & Hans Koster & Peter Hall, 2011. "The Location and Global Network Structure of Maritime Advanced Producer Services," Urban Studies, Urban Studies Journal Limited, vol. 48(13), pages 2749-2769, October.
    14. Kangmin Wu & Yang Wang & Yuyao Ye & Hongou Zhang & Guangqing Huang, 2019. "Relationship Between the Built Environment and the Location Choice of High-Tech Firms: Evidence from the Pearl River Delta," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(13), pages 1-21, July.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    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. Tom Broekel & Marcel Bednarz, 2018. "Disentangling link formation and dissolution in spatial networks: An Application of a Two-Mode STERGM to a Project-Based R&D Network in the German Biotechnology Industry," Networks and Spatial Economics, Springer, vol. 18(3), pages 677-704, September.
    2. Chong, Zhaohui & Wei, Xiaolin, 2023. "Exploring the spatial linkage network of peer-to-peer lending in China," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 630(C).
    3. Losacker, Sebastian, 2022. "‘License to green’: Regional patent licensing networks and green technology diffusion in China," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 175(C).
    4. Peng Gao & Dan He & Zhijing Sun & Yuemin Ning, 2020. "Characterizing functionally integrated regions in the Central Yangtze River Megaregion from a city‐network perspective," Growth and Change, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 51(3), pages 1357-1379, September.
    5. Ben Derudder, 2021. "Network Analysis of ‘Urban Systems’: Potential, Challenges, and Pitfalls," Tijdschrift voor Economische en Sociale Geografie, Royal Dutch Geographical Society KNAG, vol. 112(4), pages 404-420, September.
    6. José M. Gaspar, 2018. "A prospective review on New Economic Geography," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 61(2), pages 237-272, September.
    7. René Belderbos & Florence Benoit & Ben Derudder, 2022. "World City Innovation and Service Networks and Economic Growth," Papers in Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 101(4), pages 979-999, August.
    8. Gergő Tóth & Sándor Juhász & Zoltán Elekes & Balázs Lengyel, 2021. "Repeated collaboration of inventors across European regions," European Planning Studies, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 29(12), pages 2252-2272, December.
    9. Cao Zhan & Derudder Ben & Dai Liang & Peng Zhenwei, 2023. "An analysis of the evolution of Chinese cities in global scientific collaboration networks: Manuscript prepared for special issue on “China’s internationalization and changing role in the world”," ZFW – Advances in Economic Geography, De Gruyter, vol. 67(1), pages 5-19, May.
    10. Ilwon Seo, 2019. "Regions’ Technology Brokerage Patterns and Dynamics for Regional Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-15, May.
    11. Xiang Feng & Ben Derudder & Liang Dai & Wei Shen & Rui Shao & Peter J. Taylor, 2024. "Comparative analysis of the connectivity of world cities in Europe and Asia through the lens of advanced producer service networks," Asia Europe Journal, Springer, vol. 22(1), pages 121-144, March.
    12. Guo, Ying & Cao, Lingyan & Song, Ying & Wang, Yan & Li, Yongkui, 2022. "Understanding the formation of City-HSR network: A case study of Yangtze River Delta, China," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 116(C), pages 315-326.
    13. Mathias Heidinger & Fabian Wenner & Sebastian Sager & Paul Sussmann & Alain Thierstein, 2023. "Where do knowledge-intensive firms locate in Germany?—An explanatory framework using exponential random graph modeling [Welche Standorte wählen wissensintensive Unternehmen in Deutschland? – Ein Er," Review of Regional Research: Jahrbuch für Regionalwissenschaft, Springer;Gesellschaft für Regionalforschung (GfR), vol. 43(1), pages 101-124, April.
    14. Frans Hermans, 2021. "The contribution of statistical network models to the study of clusters and their evolution," Papers in Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 100(2), pages 379-403, April.
    15. Dan He & Zhiqiong Zhang & Minglong Han & Yizhi Kang & Peng Gao, 2022. "Multi-dimensional boundary effects and regional economic integration: Evidence from the Yangtze River Economic Belt," International Regional Science Review, , vol. 45(4), pages 472-498, July.
    16. Ben Derudder & Xiang Feng & Wei Shen & Rui Shao & Peter J. Taylor, 2022. "Connections between Asian and European World Cities: Measurement, Analysis, and Evaluation," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(9), pages 1-23, September.
    17. Erik Stam, 2010. "Entrepreneurship, Evolution and Geography," Chapters, in: Ron Boschma & Ron Martin (ed.), The Handbook of Evolutionary Economic Geography, chapter 6, Edward Elgar Publishing.
    18. Rehák Štefan & Hudec Oto & Buček Milan, 2013. "Path dependency and path plasticity in emerging industries: Two cases from Slovakia," ZFW – Advances in Economic Geography, De Gruyter, vol. 57(1-2), pages 52-66, October.
    19. Wang, Liang & Tan, Justin & Li, Wan, 2018. "The impacts of spatial positioning on regional new venture creation and firm mortality over the industry life cycle," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 86(C), pages 41-52.
    20. Anna Herzog, 2022. "Imaginaries, directionalities, agency and new path creation [Imaginaries, directionalities, Akteurshandeln und Pfadkreation]," Review of Regional Research: Jahrbuch für Regionalwissenschaft, Springer;Gesellschaft für Regionalforschung (GfR), vol. 42(3), pages 279-307, December.

    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:kap:jgeosy:v:24:y:2022:i:1:d:10.1007_s10109-021-00358-2. 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: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.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.