Spatial association effect of regional pollution control

With the rapid growth of the Chinese economy, environmental pollution from traditional resource endowments and extensive economic development is becoming an increasingly prominent problem. Research into the present pollution control situation is thus relevant to adjusting pollution control methods and improving pollution control effects. However, pollution control has the externality characteristics of a public good, creating a problem of spatial association. This paper used the social network analysis method to analyse this problem. First, a spatial association network of provincial pollution control in China was established based on a gravitation model, and the structural characteristics of this spatial association network were analysed. Then, the quadratic assignment procedure (QAP) analysis method was employed to explore the main influencing factors impacting the association intensity of this spatial association network. These results contribute by illustrating the current situation of Chinese pollution control and provide a theoretical foundation for the government when it formulates future development directions and policies. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.