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In the context of uncertain economic environments urban agglomerations play a crucial role in economic development, reshaping industrial chains and fostering inter-city cooperation. This study employs the Global Production Network (GPN) theory to enhance our understanding of how cities integrate into regions, emphasizing the often-overlooked governmental influence in strategic coupling processes. In examining the evolution of China's smartphone industry within the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) this research categorizes 19,599 smartphone companies into five distinct groups. Through analyzing their spatial distribution and geographical linkage the study identifies four strategic coupling modes based on the localization of assets, considering spatial influence and technological complexity along horizontal and vertical dimensions. Structural and institutional elements within these modes are also explored. The research uncovers unique integration patterns among nine cities in the GBA's mobile industry, revealing distinct spatial clusters rooted in technological, resource and innovation factors. Crucially, local policies play a pivotal role. Cities such as Shenzhen and Dongguan emerge as technology hubs, contrasting with Foshan and Zhongshan, which leverage resource advantages. The spatial impact, contingent on specific assets, underscores the necessity for nuanced top-down coupling methods in regional development. Moreover, the study emphasizes the significance of nurturing innovation links, not only between leading companies but also among midstream and downstream enterprises, enhancing cities' strategic coupling capabilities.

The industrial cooperation of Guangdong Hong Kong Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) is one of the leading regional development strategies of this world-class urban agglomeration. This study constructed the industrial cooperation network based on the travel Origin-Destination (OD) connections among industrial parks. A multi-dimensional industrial cooperation and industrial development calculation index system were also set up to measure the nonlinear interaction relationship between them. The research found that an industrial collaboration network has been basically formed in the GBA, particularly presented by major cities. Some undeveloped cities may receive more benefits in the industrial collaboration network. The Covid-19 pandemic has had an impact in terms of within city connection instead of cross-city industrial cooperation. In addition, the degree of coupling between urban industrial coordination and urban industrial development has improved significantly over one decade and taking industrial collaboration as the input variables, industrial collaboration efficiently leads to industrial development outputs in almost every city in the GBA. Practically, decision makers should encourage and support intercity industrial collaboration, particularly between cities with closer geographic proximity, as it has been found to result in stronger cooperation and better economic enhancement. In addition, although industrial collaboration does not guarantee industrial development, when the collaboration systems and policies are enhanced, the synergy and coordination between them gradually improve. This highlights the potential benefits of continued investment in industrial collaboration for economic development.

The industrial cooperation of Guangdong Hong Kong Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) is one of the leading regional development strategies of this world-class urban agglomeration. This study constructed the industrial cooperation network based on the travel Origin-Destination (OD) connections among industrial parks. A multi-dimensional industrial cooperation and industrial development calculation index system were also set up to measure the nonlinear interaction relationship between them. The research found that an industrial collaboration network has been basically formed in the GBA, particularly presented by major cities. Some undeveloped cities may receive more benefits in the industrial collaboration network. The Covid-19 pandemic has had an impact in terms of within city connection instead of cross-city industrial cooperation. In addition, the degree of coupling between urban industrial coordination and urban industrial development has improved significantly over one decade and taking industrial collaboration as the input variables, industrial collaboration efficiently leads to industrial development outputs in almost every city in the GBA. Practically, decision makers should encourage and support intercity industrial collaboration, particularly between cities with closer geographic proximity, as it has been found to result in stronger cooperation and better economic enhancement. In addition, although industrial collaboration does not guarantee industrial development, when the collaboration systems and policies are enhanced, the synergy and coordination between them gradually improve. This highlights the potential benefits of continued investment in industrial collaboration for economic development.