Exploring the Spatial Correlation Network Structure of Green Innovation Efficiency in the Yangtze River Delta, China

Abstract

Green innovation is crucial to high-quality economic development and has become an important engine for green transformation development in the Yangtze River Delta region. In this study, we used the super epsilon-based measure (super-EBM) to measure the green innovation efficiency of 26 cities in the Yangtze River Delta region of China from 2003 to 2018. Secondly, on the basis of a modified gravity model, we determined the spatial correlation of the Yangtze River Delta region’s green innovation efficiency and built a relation matrix. Finally, using the Moran index, centrality analysis, and a block model, we investigated its spatial characteristics and empirically analyzed its influencing factors by applying the quadratic assignment procedure. The results show that (1) in spatial terms, the Yangtze River Delta’s green innovation efficiency is extremely unbalanced, and the spatial network association density is low, only 0.218; (2) in terms of block analysis, the green innovation efficiency of the Yangtze River Delta region’s cities can be divided into four blocks, with distinct blocks holding distinct responsibilities; and (3) in terms of influencing factors, geographic distance; the expansion of the difference in energy consumption and the environment pollution index; and narrowing the gap in economic development, the industrial structure, and green coverage will push forward the formation of spatial correlation at a significance level of 10%. Our findings expand the research on traditional innovation efficiency and provide theoretical guidance for formulating regional green innovation coordinated development policy. It is necessary to strengthen urban green innovation cooperation in the Yangtze River Delta and promote regional integrated development. Different policies should be adopted for cities with different spatial correlation patterns. From the perspective of block analysis, it is necessary to balance the acceptance relationship and spillover relationship between cities. In addition, to improve the spatial correlation of green innovation efficiency in the Yangtze River Delta, the allocation of green innovation resources in the Yangtze River Delta should be optimized.