Connection patterns and resilience simulation of innovation network in the context of technology transfer: A case study of strategic emerging industries in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area

Abstract

Technology transfer is crucial for the flow and reconfiguration of regional innovation elements. Besides, leveraging network methodologies effectively uncovers regional knowledge exchange and transfer patterns. Combining the “Buzz-Gatekeeper-Pipeline” model, this study introduces a comprehensive analytical framework that utilizes a patent transfer database to characterize innovation network types, identify connection patterns, and enable resilience loss simulation, elucidating regional technology transfer types and connection patterns from a network perspective, delineating the evolution and potential causes of network structural resilience loss, and finally establishing a list of differentiated and hierarchical innovation network management strategies. Focusing on the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, this empirical study reveals the following: 1) Technology transfer primarily occurs between different enterprises. However, on average, knowledge products from colleges/universities and research institutions boast relatively high technical contribution efficiency to enterprises. 2) The innovation network is driven by the “Technological Gatekeeper” as the main connector. Four types of innovation communities—isolated, insider, seeker, and networked—are formed based on different combinations of “Community Buzz” and “Regional Pipeline”. 3) A significant positive correlation exists between innovation network connection patterns and network structural resilience. The impact of different types of “Regional Pipelines” on network structural resilience varies significantly.