What influences the formation of China’s agricultural collaborative innovation network? An ERGM approach

Purpose This article aims to identify the structural characteristics of China’s agricultural collaborative innovation network (ACIN) and explore the mechanisms influencing its formation. Design/methodology/approach Utilizing the data of agricultural science and technology co-authored papers, cooperative patents and jointly authorized varieties from 2012 to 2023, we adopt Social Network Analysis to identify the whole structural characteristics of the ACIN and apply Exponential Random Graph Model to investigate the influence mechanisms of the ACIN formation. Findings ACIN formation is jointly promoted by agricultural science, technology and innovation (ASTI) capability, openness breadth, geographical province assortativity and geographical neighbor assortativity, albeit with gradually diminishing positive impacts. In contrast, openness depth, ASTI investment foundation, ASTI benefit foundation, organization assortativity, society assortativity and ASTI capability assortativity generally impede ACIN formation, though these negative effects weaken over time. Originality/value We innovatively explore agricultural science and technology collaborative innovation (ASTCI) enhancement through network optimization. Defining the connotation of the national ACIN, we comprehensively demonstrate and analyze the influence mechanisms of the national ACIN formation from the combined influence of endogenous and exogenous factors.