The structure and dynamics of intra- and inter-regional research collaborative networks: The case of China (1985–2008)

Intra- and inter-regional research collaboration are two faces of regional innovation relations. This paper develops a multilevel network model of intra- and inter-regional research collaboration using co-patents. It then applies the model and social network analysis (SNA) to the Chinese case by examining collaborative invention patent applications to China's patent office. Over the past two decades, both China's intra- and inter-regional networks have been expanding in size, becoming more cohesive, and reflecting the “core-periphery” structure. In particular, inter-regional networks have begun to reflect characteristics of a triangle in space in which the most active collaborations occur between the Yangtze River Delta, the Pearl River Delta and the Bohai Rim, with many regions from 2000 onwards shifting from the high/low quadrant to the low/low quadrant within the two-dimension quadrant (TDQ) of regional degree/betweenness centrality in the inter-regional network. Intra-regional networks also reflected a “chain-like” structure of inter-organizational collaborations, with the key organizations shifting to universities from both universities and state-owned enterprises (SOEs) in intra-regional networks of Beijing and Shanghai. Our preliminary analysis suggests the possibility of complementary relationships between inter- and intra-regional networks for regional innovation rather than ones based on relevance.