From Location Advantage to Innovation: Exploring Interprovincial Co-Funding Networks in Mainland China

This study examines the regional co-funding network as a novel framework for advancing high-quality fundamental research amid systemic reforms in science funding. Based on provincial joint funding data from Mainland China retrieved via the WoS-SCIE and SSCI databases (2013–2022), an interprovincial...

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Main Authors: Feifei Wang, Hanbai Wang, Yuxuan An, Rui Xue, Yuanke Zhang, Tianqi Hao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-01-01
Series:Systems
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2079-8954/13/1/58
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author Feifei Wang
Hanbai Wang
Yuxuan An
Rui Xue
Yuanke Zhang
Tianqi Hao
author_facet Feifei Wang
Hanbai Wang
Yuxuan An
Rui Xue
Yuanke Zhang
Tianqi Hao
author_sort Feifei Wang
collection DOAJ
description This study examines the regional co-funding network as a novel framework for advancing high-quality fundamental research amid systemic reforms in science funding. Based on provincial joint funding data from Mainland China retrieved via the WoS-SCIE and SSCI databases (2013–2022), an interprovincial co-funding network was constructed. Social network analysis, kernel density estimation, and fixed-effects regression analysis were employed to explore the evolution of regional location advantages and their impact on technological innovation. The findings reveal that the co-funding network has become increasingly balanced over time, significantly enhancing the location-based innovation advantages of individual provinces and strengthening the network’s overall capacity to foster innovation. This improved equilibrium has positively influenced regional scientific output, demonstrating that a province’s position within the co-funding network—particularly its individual location advantage—plays a pivotal role in advancing technological progress. However, persistent disparities in regional collaboration and development remain, underscoring the need for more coordinated strategies to address uneven growth dynamics. By introducing the co-funding network as an analytical lens, this study uncovers the hidden channels of resource synergy and their influence on regional innovation. The results provide actionable insights for optimizing co-funding mechanisms and enhancing interprovincial collaboration to maximize innovation potential in China.
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institution Kabale University
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publishDate 2025-01-01
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spelling doaj-art-cb4a1b586a6e49c9b2eafb50f0d41e452025-01-24T13:50:40ZengMDPI AGSystems2079-89542025-01-011315810.3390/systems13010058From Location Advantage to Innovation: Exploring Interprovincial Co-Funding Networks in Mainland ChinaFeifei Wang0Hanbai Wang1Yuxuan An2Rui Xue3Yuanke Zhang4Tianqi Hao5College of Economics and Management, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, ChinaCollege of Economics and Management, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, ChinaCollege of Economics and Management, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, ChinaCollege of Economics and Management, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, ChinaCollege of Economics and Management, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, ChinaCollege of Economics and Management, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, ChinaThis study examines the regional co-funding network as a novel framework for advancing high-quality fundamental research amid systemic reforms in science funding. Based on provincial joint funding data from Mainland China retrieved via the WoS-SCIE and SSCI databases (2013–2022), an interprovincial co-funding network was constructed. Social network analysis, kernel density estimation, and fixed-effects regression analysis were employed to explore the evolution of regional location advantages and their impact on technological innovation. The findings reveal that the co-funding network has become increasingly balanced over time, significantly enhancing the location-based innovation advantages of individual provinces and strengthening the network’s overall capacity to foster innovation. This improved equilibrium has positively influenced regional scientific output, demonstrating that a province’s position within the co-funding network—particularly its individual location advantage—plays a pivotal role in advancing technological progress. However, persistent disparities in regional collaboration and development remain, underscoring the need for more coordinated strategies to address uneven growth dynamics. By introducing the co-funding network as an analytical lens, this study uncovers the hidden channels of resource synergy and their influence on regional innovation. The results provide actionable insights for optimizing co-funding mechanisms and enhancing interprovincial collaboration to maximize innovation potential in China.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-8954/13/1/58co-funding networksocial network analysisinnovation location advantagekernel density estimation
spellingShingle Feifei Wang
Hanbai Wang
Yuxuan An
Rui Xue
Yuanke Zhang
Tianqi Hao
From Location Advantage to Innovation: Exploring Interprovincial Co-Funding Networks in Mainland China
Systems
co-funding network
social network analysis
innovation location advantage
kernel density estimation
title From Location Advantage to Innovation: Exploring Interprovincial Co-Funding Networks in Mainland China
title_full From Location Advantage to Innovation: Exploring Interprovincial Co-Funding Networks in Mainland China
title_fullStr From Location Advantage to Innovation: Exploring Interprovincial Co-Funding Networks in Mainland China
title_full_unstemmed From Location Advantage to Innovation: Exploring Interprovincial Co-Funding Networks in Mainland China
title_short From Location Advantage to Innovation: Exploring Interprovincial Co-Funding Networks in Mainland China
title_sort from location advantage to innovation exploring interprovincial co funding networks in mainland china
topic co-funding network
social network analysis
innovation location advantage
kernel density estimation
url https://www.mdpi.com/2079-8954/13/1/58
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