The impact of institutional proximity on digital technology innovation linkages: empirical evidence on the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao greater bay area of China

Promoting digital technology innovation connections is crucial to establishing an international science, technology, and innovation hub in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and institutional disparities influence the clustering and flow of digital technology as an innovation factor. Promoting digital technology links and cooperation across cities is a practical strategy to improve the region's innovation efficiency and capacity. However, detailed research on the flow of innovation determinants such as digital technology and there is no evidence of the influence of institutional proximity on digital technology innovation connections. Based on the patent transfer data of the National Key Industry Patent Information Service Platform from 2010 to 2021, this paper constructs a new institutional proximity indicator applicable to the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area and other cross-system regions, applies a spatial econometric model to investigate direct and spatial spillover effects of institutional proximity on the digital technological innovation linkages. It is proved that institutional proximity has significant positive direct and spatial spillover effects on digital technological innovation linkages. The study has significant theoretical and practical implications for increasing the association and collaboration of digital technology and other innovation elements across institutional boundaries.