Digital Innovation Networks for Regional Sustainability: An Analysis of Evolutionary Characteristics and Driving Mechanisms in China

This study develops an indicator system for provincial digital innovation in China from 2012 to 2022, drawing on four dimensions: actors, elements, environment, and outcomes. Its purpose is to identify the spatial evolution of China’s digital innovation network and reveal the mechanisms that drive this process. The findings contribute both to the scientific understanding of digital innovation dynamics and to policy practices aimed at enhancing regional coordination. We measure digital innovation using a modified gravity model, social network analysis, and a temporal exponential random graph model (TERGM). The results show a clear spatial pattern: digital innovation levels are higher in eastern provinces and lower in western regions, with a noticeable north–south divide. Spatial association intensity continues to increase, forming a distribution characterized by dense linkages in the east and sparse connections in the west. The spatial association network evolves steadily over time. Shanghai, Beijing, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Fujian hold dominant positions and are more likely to form ties with other provinces. The network can be divided into four blocks: a two-way Overflow block, a primary beneficiary block, and two broker blocks. Its structure is shaped primarily by chain-like linkages, supplemented by localized closed structures. The network also displays reciprocity, connectivity, cyclicity, and temporal dependence. Its formation is jointly driven by economic development, marketization, and geographic proximity. They also provide practical guidance for regional sustainable development, optimizing innovation resource allocation, and enhancing the efficiency of China’s digital innovation network.