Evaluation of the industrial cooperation of the Guangdong Hong Kong Macao Greater Bay Area: Based on the Origin-Destination pairs of industrial parks and coupling model efficiency

The industrial cooperation of Guangdong Hong Kong Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) is one of the leading regional development strategies of this world-class urban agglomeration. This study constructed the industrial cooperation network based on the travel Origin-Destination (OD) connections among industrial parks. A multi-dimensional industrial cooperation and industrial development calculation index system were also set up to measure the nonlinear interaction relationship between them. The research found that an industrial collaboration network has been basically formed in the GBA, particularly presented by major cities. Some undeveloped cities may receive more benefits in the industrial collaboration network. The Covid-19 pandemic has had an impact in terms of within city connection instead of cross-city industrial cooperation. In addition, the degree of coupling between urban industrial coordination and urban industrial development has improved significantly over one decade and taking industrial collaboration as the input variables, industrial collaboration efficiently leads to industrial development outputs in almost every city in the GBA. Practically, decision makers should encourage and support intercity industrial collaboration, particularly between cities with closer geographic proximity, as it has been found to result in stronger cooperation and better economic enhancement. In addition, although industrial collaboration does not guarantee industrial development, when the collaboration systems and policies are enhanced, the synergy and coordination between them gradually improve. This highlights the potential benefits of continued investment in industrial collaboration for economic development.