Evolution Characteristics and Driving Mechanisms of Innovation Networks and Spaces in Guangzhou-Foshan Metropolitan Area:A Characterization Based on Invention Patent Application Data

LIU Pengfei; YUAN Qifeng; JIANG Hao; LI Gang; YAN Yongtao

doi:10.3969/j.issn.1000-0232.2025.08.010

Abstract：Technological innovation has emerged as a pivotal driver and core competitive advantage in urban and regional development.Metropolitan areas are regional centers and global gateways.The industrial development and innovation of metropolitan areas are significantly affected by both globalization and localization.Understanding the evolutionary characteristics and mechanisms of metropolitan innovation holds significant implications for fostering regional innovation transitions and cultivating new productive capacities.Based on the global-local theoretical perspective,an empirical study was carried out of the Guangzhou-Foshan metropolitan area,which is a highly integrated region characterized by intensive interactions among innovation networks and spaces.By using invention patent data,the evolution of innovation networks and spatial configurations was quantitatively delineated through kernel density estimation and social network analysis.Moreover,case studies and mechanism analysis were conducted by examining typical enterprises,park surveys,and corporate autobiographies.The evolutionary characteristics and driving mechanisms of innovation networks and spaces in Guangzhou-Foshan metropolitan area from 1985 to 2020 were investigated systematically. Key findings reveal: (1)In view of its evolutionary characteristics,Guangzhou-Foshan metropolitan area first underwent an industrial accumulation phase(1985～2000),with weak innovation ability,no network systems,and characterized by the co-existence of state-owned research institutions,state-owned factories,and low-end manufacturing towns.It then transitioned to the innovation exploration phase(2001～2010),with strengthened global-local links,increased nodes,and loosened structures.Private enterprises became the dominant actors,and universities functioned as key knowledge diffusers.Dedicated innovation spaces,including technology parks and university towns,emerged alongside specialized industrial clusters.It then stepped into the innovation acceleration phase(2011～2020),an integrated metropolitan development phase promoted by both the"market and government."In this phase,the number of metropolitan network nodes,connection intensity,and breadth increased significantly.A key innovation network,which was centered at universities and dominated by enterprises,was formed.The innovation spaces showed a core-periphery distribution pattern of core clustering areas bounded by Guangzhou's ring expressway and industrial corridors along the ring expressway of Foshan. (2)This study concluded by examining a number of comprehensive quantitative features and conducting a qualitative analysis of typical cases,showing that resource spillovers and the technological services of local universities are key drivers of innovation.Universities not only train talent continuously and support many scientific innovation enterprises through academic entrepreneurship,but also provide technological service support for industrial cluster upgrades.Moreover,the entrepreneurship of Chinese students returning from study abroad constituted critical"global-local"interaction pathways.The emergence and diffusion of local industrial clusters in"global-local"interactions are fundamental forces of innovation.As the core gateway of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area,the Guangzhou-Foshan metropolitan area not only benefits from element agglomeration and spillover from transnational enterprises but is also integrated into the global chain through local enterprises to promote the advancement of industrial clusters.Science and technology innovation enterprises emerged through"global-local"interactions and university support.Geographic proximity accelerated information flow and the ecological formation of innovative elements in clusters.Proactive governments set out special industrial policy zones to attract the clustering of global-local innovation elements.Local government set up high-tech zones and other policy zones through specific resource allocations and strategies,establishing a"policy highland and cost low-lying land"to attract global,national,and regional innovation elements and network connections(e.g.,the science city in Guangzhou),thus catalyzing the formation of an innovation network and further spatial development. (3)In view of the differences in innovative development modes,Guangzhou possesses rich innovation resources and forms the core of the Guangzhou-Foshan innovation network.Besides,various innovation platforms pay more attention to higher-scale overall regional planning.The industrial development and innovation of Foshan depend on Guangzhou.The Guangzhou-Foshan boundary area has become the primary region for innovation element spillovers and interactions with Guangzhou.