Spatial Network Structure and Influencing Factors of the “Four-Chain” Coupling in China’s Province

Regional economic integration has been further promoted, and the flow of factors has broken through the geographical “neighbourly” restrictions. The enhancement of factor coupling depends not only on its own attributes, but also on the spatial association effect. A coupling coordination model was adopted to measure the coupling coordination level of China’s provincial innovation chain industrial chain capital chain talent chain (referred to as “four chains”). Based on the measurement results, the social network analysis (SNA) method was used to investigate the characteristics of the provincial “four chains” coupling spatial association network structure. The quadratic assignment procedure (QAP) was used to explore the influencing factors of the “four-chain” coupling in the province. The results show that in 2016—2021, the “four-chain” coupling coordination in China’s provinces has steadily improved, but the overall level is still at a low level, showing the non-equilibrium distribution of “high east and low west”. In terms of overall network characteristics, the tightness of the “four-chain” coupling and coordination space network fluctuates, and there is still a lot of room for improvement in the whole; Shanghai, Jiangsu, Beijing and other regions are in the core position, while Hainan, Ningxia, Xinjiang and other regions are in the marginal position, and the “core—edge” structure characteristics are obvious. The intensity of scientific and technological innovation investment, economic level and education investment intensity have a significant impact on the “four-chain” coupling spatial correlation in the province. We should establish linkage awareness, weaken distance and other constraints, and promote the flow of resource elements between regions; formulate differentiated regional development policies, optimise the spatial network structure, narrow the interregional gap, and further promote the deep coupling and coordinated development of the “four chains”.