关键词: 网络中心性, 隶属联系模型, 择优链接, 等级结构

Abstract:

The research of centrality of urban network is an important entry point to analyze the hierarchical structure and explore the evolution process of urban network. First the two-stage ownership linkages model to identify urban network through the lens of corporate networks is developed and the urban network in China is defined based on the top listed 100 enterprises in 2016. Then the spatial patterns of urban network centrality in China are studied from three perspectives of outdegree, betweeness and indgree. Finally the key factors affecting city network centrality are identified using two econometric methods of robust regression and the mechanisms of the key factors are analyzed. Three main findings are concluded. First, the spatial distribution of centrality in the urban network in China is unbalanced and heterogeneous. The spatial structure of outdegree and betweenness centrality both exhibit core-periphery patterns with primate city with great power. The spatial concentration of indegree centrality is relatively low, with multiple core cities. There is a significant spatial correlation between the three centrality measures of outdegree, betweeness and indegree. The three regions of Bohai Rim, Yangtze River Delta and Pearl River Delta have high level of centrality values, becoming the core areas of urban network power system in China, while most cities in Central and Western China become periphery regions, which suggests that cities with more power have more prestige attracting others to relate. Second, the network function of cities in China exhibits differentiation. Based on the combination of different centerality measures, the urban system in China can be divided into five functional levels: the national dominant center with the highest level of outdegree and betweeness centrality (including Beijing, Shanghai and Shenzhen), regional command centers with high level of outdegree centrality but low level of betweeness centrality (i.e. Wuhan, Guangzhou, etc.), regional gateway cities with high level of betweeness centrality but low level of outdegree centrality (i.e. Dalian, Nanjing, etc.), investing centers with relatively high level of indegree centrality but low level of both outdegree and betweeness centrality (i.e. Ningbo and Lanzhou), and the periphery cities with low level of all the three centrality measures. The spatial pattern of the power in urban network is different from the urban hierarchy predicted by central place theory, which reveals that the foundation for the development of China's urban system is undergoing profound changes. Third, economic scale, knowledge capital, aviation facilities and political resources are key factors influencing the spatial pattern of urban network centrality. The results reveal that preferential attachment is an important mechanism in the development of China’s urban system: the cities with large market size, good aviation infrastructure, abundant knowledge capital and political resources will have the advantages in attracting more corporate headquarters or branch layouts. This paper will enrich and deepen the understanding of the characteristics of urban network structure in China, and provide references for the construction of urban network theory.

Key words: network centrality, the ownership linkage model, preferential attachment, hierarchical structure