Abstract
The deep integration of Global Value Chains (GVCs) and innovation collaboration networks serves as a crucial driver of global economic growth. Based on transnational patent collaboration data and GVC position indices from 2011 to 2021, this paper constructs centralization and decentralization collaboration indices to systematically examine the evolution of international innovation collaboration trajectories and patterns from international, national, and sectoral levels through the lens of GVCs. The findings reveal that: (1) At the international level, GVC collaboration patterns exhibit an evolutionary characteristic of initial decentralization followed by concentration. After peaking in 2019, decentralized collaboration shifted towards centralization, indicating emerging trends of technological monopolization in certain fields. (2) At the national level, developed countries predominantly leverage centralized collaboration to consolidate their technological advantages, whereas developing countries are prone to dual predicaments: either being locked into low-end activities or engaging in loose, fragmented collaborations. (3) At the sectoral level, the Chemicals and Chemical Products sector is characterized by upstream centralized collaboration; the Electrical and Optical Equipment sector demonstrates dynamic adjustments in its collaboration patterns; and the Machinery sector is predominantly led by downstream decentralized collaboration. By unveiling the evolutionary mechanisms of collaboration networks from the perspective of GVC positions, this paper provides novel quantitative indicators for assessing international collaboration models. The conclusions offer valuable insights for countries aiming to optimize their innovation strategies and balance technological autonomy with global synergy.
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Data availability
The raw data supporting this study were obtained from: PatSnap database (https://www.zhihuiya.com/products/analytics): Used for cross-border collaborative patent data (2011–2021). UIBE GVC Index (http://rigvc.uibe.edu.cn/english/D_E/database_database/index.htm): Used for Global Value Chain data (2011–2021). Access to both databases requires users to register an account via the links provided and apply for usage permission. The processed datasets, analysis code, and plotting code are available in the Supplementary Materials.
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Acknowledgements
This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Award Number 72273015) and the Postdoctoral Fellowship Program of the China Postdoctoral Science Foundation (Award Number GZC20233089).
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YW and QC: Conceptualization, innovation framework design, funding acquisition, manuscript review and supervision. YW and QL: Data collection and manuscript drafting. QL: Construction and measurement of core indicators, raw data processing, chart design and visualization analysis. GW: Research discussion and revision suggestions. All authors reviewed the manuscript text.
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Wang, Y., Li, Q., Cao, Q. et al. The evolution of international innovation collaboration trajectories and patterns from a global value chain perspective. Humanit Soc Sci Commun (2026). https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-026-07074-6
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1057/s41599-026-07074-6
