Evolution and Development Strategy of Collaborative Innovation Network among Cities in the Yangtze River Delta-Based on Urban Innovation Index Data

Abstract

Abstract The gravity model is applied to construct a collaborative innovation network between cities in the Yangtze River Delta, analyzes its structural characteristics and evolution from a network perspective, and proposes development strategies. This will help optimize the network structure of collaborative innovation among cities in the Yangtze River Delta, improve the efficiency of collaborative innovation, and promote their innovation level together. Based on the data of urban innovation indexes in 2006, 2011 and 2016, this paper reveals the structural characteristics and evolution of the collaborative innovation network between cities in the Yangtze River Delta, and puts forward corresponding development strategies. The findings are as follows: (1) The overall innovation capability of cities in the Yangtze River Delta has been continuously improved, and the strength of collaborative innovation links between cities has slowly increased. (2) The innovation development of cities in the Yangtze River Delta is unbalanced and asymmetrical. The network presents a significant “core-periphery” spatial structure and a “multi-center, multi-level” pattern, and central cities drive the development of surrounding cities. (3) A reasonable regional innovation community should be constructed from the perspectives of spatial coordination, innovation industry chain integration and resource sharing, and the collaborative innovation network should be optimized.