Network infrastructure construction and inter-counties collaborative innovation in China with center-periphery effect

The advancement of social productivity is closely linked to infrastructure development. In the digital age, it is essential for network infrastructure to penetrate into micro-level areas. Existing studies have shown that network infrastructure construction promotes regional innovation, but there is limited research on collaborative innovation at the micro-regional level. Using county panel data from 2012 to 2020, this study examines the impact of the Broadband China pilot on inter-counties collaborative innovation and analyzes the performance of knowledge spillovers between counties in China. The findings reveal that the Broadband China pilot has a significant positive effect on inter-counties collaborative innovation, as confirmed through robustness tests. The pilot is more effective in promoting connections within central regions compared to peripheral areas, particularly in terms of economic development, population size, administrative divisions, and policy preferences. Further analysis identifies three key mechanisms through which network infrastructure enhances inter-counties collaborative innovation: human capital agglomeration, increased communication, and market integration. This research not only offers a new micro-spatial perspective on collaborative innovation but also provides a deeper understanding of the relationship between network infrastructure and inter-counties collaborative innovation.