Structural Characteristics and Spatial Patterns of the Technology Transfer Network in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area

Abstract

Recently, the Chinese government released the Outline of the Development Plan for the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA), raising the development of the GBA urban agglomeration to a national strategy. An efficient technology transfer network is conducive to promoting the integrated and coordinated development and enhancing the scientific and technological innovation capabilities of the GBA urban agglomeration. Therefore, this study uses the patent transaction data for three years (2010, 2014, and 2018), integrates data mining, and uses complex network analysis, based on full-flow and net-flow networks, from the overall characteristics, network node strength, network association, network node importance, and network communities to reveal the structural characteristics and spatial patterns of the technology transfer network in the GBA. The results revealed that: (1) Technology transfer networks (full-flow and net-flow) in the GBA show heterogeneity. (2) Full-flow network presents a clear hierarchy within the GBA, showing a “two poles and two strong” pattern, and technology transfer has the same city preference; outside the GBA, there are close technology transfer regions that have technical and geographical proximity characteristics; the net-flow network presents a “one pole, two strong” pattern, and Guangzhou has become the core region of the net-flow network. (3) Connection objects of the technology transfer network have path dependence and spatial preference. Coexistence of concentration and decentralization characterizes the spatial flow. (4) Spatial distribution of the hub and authority of the technology transfer network is heterogeneous and hierarchical. Each city in the GBA has its own technological advantages. (5) Spatial clustering characteristics of the community within the technology transfer network are obvious. (6) The GBA is dominated by the transfer of patented technology in the high-tech industry, while the transfer of patented technology in the traditional manufacturing industry also plays an important role.