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Regional Governance and Multiplex Networks in Environmental Sustainability

An Exponential Random Graph Model Analysis in the Chinese Local Government Context

Bibliographic Data

ID6404917
AuthorsRongqi Shen (0000-0001-5538-6770, Wichita State University, corresponding author)
Year2024
Volume60
Issue2
Pages571-613
Publication date2024-03-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueUrban Affairs Review (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1078-0874 • E-ISSN: 1552-8332
PublisherSAGE Publications Inc (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1177/10780874231199390
OpenAlexW4386544663
LanguageEN
Citations received5
References cited114

Chinese city governments have collaborated increasingly to address regional environmental issues by participating in informal and formal collaborative networks. However, collaboration among cities involves collaboration risks. This study investigates how cities strategically select collaborative partners in informal and formal networks in the context of the Yangtze River Delta in China. This study addresses this question by assessing the nature of collaborative problems in the informal and formal networks, the extent of homophily in actors’ preferences, and their relationship multiplexity. Findings from Exponential Random Graph Analysis demonstrate: (1) city governments tend to connect to the popular actor and create relationship closure in the informal network, while only forging relationship closure in the formal network; (2) homophily (in water pollution) and heterogeneity (in air pollution) jointly affect city governments’ choices of collaborative partners in the formal network; and (3) the presence of relationship multiplexity wherein the formation of formal ties is built between city governments with pre-existing informal interactions. The findings advance our knowledge of collaborative partner selection and local collaborative governance in China

Business · Collaborative governance · Context (archaeology · Corporate governance · Environmental governance · Exponential random graph models · Geography · Graph · Homophily · Political science · Public relations · Random graph · Social network analysis · Sociology · Sustainability · Complex Network Analysis Techniques · Computer Science · Public Policy and Administration Research · Social Capital and Networks · Ecology

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Unique citing works5
Citations per year5
Citation span2025 - 2026 (2)
Citation velocitycurrent
Highly citedNo
Citation typesNeutral: 5
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