The proximity and dynamics of intercity technology transfers in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macau Greater Bay Area: Evidence from patent transfer networks

Haitao Ma, Yehua Dennis Wei, Liang Dai and Xuanfang Xu
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Haitao Ma: Key Laboratory of Regional Sustainable Development Modeling, 58289Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
Yehua Dennis Wei: Department of Geography, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, USA
Liang Dai: School of Public Administration, Nanjing University of Finance & Economics, Nanjing, China
Xuanfang Xu: 58289Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China

Environment and Planning A, 2022, vol. 54, issue 7, 1432-1449

Abstract: The patent transfer provides an important indication of technology flows and knowledge diffusion across space. Drawing on patent transfer data, we modeled intercity technology transfer networks in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macau Greater Bay Area, a city region special for its “one country, two systems†structure, in the periods 2007–2011 and 2012–2016. We then explored the evolutionary characteristics of the networks and further examined the impact of, and interaction between, different forms of proximities in relation to technology transfer over time. Our results show that some kinds of proximities (institutional, cognitive, and social) are able to promote technology transfers, while others (geographical and cultural) do not exert significant impacts. Of the latter category, geographical proximity can, however, indirectly affect technology transfer by acting on the proximity of other dimensions (institutional, cognitive, and social). For instance, cognitive proximity can compensate for the lack of geographical proximity and social proximity frequently accompanies geographical proximity—and both relationships are reinforced over time. In contrast, the interrelatedness of geographical and institutional proximities have transformed from a relation of substitution to complementarity.

Keywords: Technology transfer; intercity network; patent transactions; proximity and dynamics; the Greater Bay Area (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:sae:envira:v:54:y:2022:i:7:p:1432-1449

DOI: 10.1177/0308518X221104822

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