Mapping Hong Kong’s academic collaboration networks: investigating its role in a cross-border regional innovation system

Yun Wang, Raymond Aitibasa Atanga, Yue Guo, Xihong Liu, Ningning Zhang and Yi Liu ()
Additional contact information
Yun Wang: University of International Business and Economics, School of Government
Raymond Aitibasa Atanga: University of International Business and Economics, School of Government
Yue Guo: University of International Business and Economics, School of International Relations
Xihong Liu: University of International Business and Economics, School of Government
Ningning Zhang: Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institutes of Science and Development
Yi Liu: Chinese Academy of Sciences, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research

Scientometrics, 2025, vol. 130, issue 10, No 13, 5611 pages

Abstract: Abstract Hong Kong’s uniqueness as a regional and global bridge city enriches the cross-border regional innovation system theory (CBRIS) and structural hole theory. This study employs bibliometric analysis of Web of Science data (1997–2020) to examine Hong Kong’s significant role in facilitating scientific collaboration within the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), noting that recent geopolitical changes, such as the implementation of the National Security Law and the U.S.-China tech decoupling, may alter these dynamics. The findings further reveal that: (1) Hong Kong serves as an optimal node for bidirectional exchanges. It is highly internationalized and has extensive partnerships, especially with advanced economies in Europe and the U.S. At the same time, Hong Kong maintains strong ties with the Chinese mainland, as evidenced by the “Guangdong-Hong Kong Science and Technology Corridor,” a vital axis for scientific collaboration within the GBA. (2) As a center for scientific collaboration, Hong Kong possesses unique advantages and strategies across various fields. These findings collectively redefine Hong Kong’s strategic position, not merely as a passive bridge but as an active bidirectional knowledge intermediary. As an empirical investigation of the CBRIS, the study offers practical guidance for promoting cross-border regional scientific collaboration in similar regions. Theoretically, the study initially explores how cross-border regional innovation and cooperation operate in response to internal and external dynamics.

Keywords: Academic collaboration; Network; Hong Kong; Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area; Innovation geography (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
References: Add references at CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
http://link.springer.com/10.1007/s11192-025-05432-w Abstract (text/html)
Access to the full text of the articles in this series is restricted.

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:scient:v:130:y:2025:i:10:d:10.1007_s11192-025-05432-w

Ordering information: This journal article can be ordered from
http://www.springer.com/economics/journal/11192

DOI: 10.1007/s11192-025-05432-w

Access Statistics for this article

Scientometrics is currently edited by Wolfgang Glänzel

More articles in Scientometrics from Springer, Akadémiai Kiadó
Bibliographic data for series maintained by Sonal Shukla () and Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing ().