Research on Technology Innovation Cooperation Network in the Middle Reaches of Yangtze River Urban Agglomeration from the Perspective of Gradient Theory

Abstract

[Purpose/Significance] Gradient theory reveals the causes and evolutionary trends of the uneven development of networks. As one of the most promising urban agglomerations in China, the middle reaches of Yangtze River urban agglomeration is the most representative national central urban agglomeration, which plays a key role in supporting the construction of central rising strategy. Therefore, it has become an important proposition of increasing concern for researchers and policy makers in the management field to study the technology innovation cooperation network in the middle reaches of Yangtze River urban agglomeration, in order to strengthen the innovation cooperation among cities and accelerate the construction of innovative cities and coordinated regional development. [Method/Process] Based on the perspective of gradient theory, this paper explores the structure and evolution of technology innovation cooperation networks in the middle reaches of Yangtze River urban agglomeration at the level of internal dynamics with the help of two important conditions that need to be met by high-gradient cities, evolving city structure stratification from core-edge structure and city role positioning from structural holes and intermediaries. [Results/Conclusions] It is found that the technology gradient in the middle reaches of Yangtze River urban agglomeration is mainly manifested by the polarization effect, and the technology gap between cities is widened. Due to the small number of high-gradient cities, they have not been able to form a driving scale benefit, and the overall regional technology innovation performance is not strong. This paper can provide useful references for the synergistic development of the middle reaches of Yangtze River urban agglomeration from the aspect of technology innovation cooperation.

Keywords

• the middle reaches of yangtze river urban agglomeration|technology innovation cooperation network|gradient theory|core-edge structure|structural holes