Innovation Networks of Science and Technology Firms: Evidence from China

Examining and assessing the characteristics of innovation networks among science technology firms at city level is essential for comprehending patterns cities improving their competitiveness. Nevertheless, majority studies in this field solely rely on patent paper data, neglecting analysis across diverse scales dimensions. Websites offer a novel platform companies to exhibit products services, utilization hyperlink data better captures dynamics innovative cooperation. Thus, attain more realistic precise comprehension China’s enterprise cooperation networks, enhance understanding intra-city cross-border within scientific guidance enhancing capabilities by investigating factors influencing scenarios mechanisms interactions, study constructs an network based extracted from Chinese enterprises’ websites 2022. It explores network’s inherent spatial multiple dimensions scales. Additionally, it employs GeoDetector analyze driving behind heterogeneity quadrants each dimension. The findings suggest following: (1) Evident polarization capability exists, with pronounced differentiation between high zones. (2) Contrary conventional notion geographical proximity, cross-region website prevails, cross-provincial being prevalent than intra-provincial cross-city (3) Enterprise tends align partners similar scale, small medium-sized enterprises primarily engage internal cooperation, concentrated second third-tier cities. (4) Cities degree centrality structure holes are located construction areas urban agglomerations, while those low situated near double-high (5) four influenced STI, intensity capacity strongly traffic capacity. intra- inter-city significantly impacted administrative grade, scale location most affected digital infrastructure.