Understanding the resilience of intercity innovation networks

Xiaqing Hu and Haitao Ma ()
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Xiaqing Hu: Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences
Haitao Ma: Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences

Humanities and Social Sciences Communications, 2025, vol. 12, issue 1, 1-14

Abstract: Abstract While resilience and innovation are identified as two pivotal attributes for achieving regional sustainable development, regional innovation itself currently faces increasing challenges in a world marked by uncertainty. Intercity innovation networks, built on collaborative efforts between cities, enable regions to harness collective strength and strengthen their capacity to withstand external shocks, thereby fostering more resilient regional innovation systems. Despite the widespread adoption of network-based thinking, our understanding of resilience within intercity innovation networks remains limited. This paper synthesizes three perspectives to better comprehend this complex concept and proposes a systematic framework for intercity innovation network resilience (IINR). We define IINR as the dynamic capacity inherent in the responses of intercity innovation networks to external shocks, which can be examined through a “structure–process–performance” approach. In this framework, the resilient performance of innovation outputs and the resilient structure of collaborative networks represent the observable outcomes and the underlying architecture of IINR, respectively. Meanwhile, the resilient process—grounded in multiscale knowledge dynamics—offers insights into how IINR forms and develops, from micro-level innovation decisions to macro-level shifts in intercity relationships. This framework bridges the gap across various resilience studies to enhance the holistic understanding of IINR, providing a robust foundation for observing, evaluating, and simulating innovation resilience in regional practice.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1057/s41599-025-05878-6

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