Exploring the Evolution of Collaborative Innovation in the Construction and Demolition Waste Management Industry: Evidence From China

The construction and demolition waste management industry (CDWMI) plays a strategic role in energy conservation, emission reduction, and the development of a circular economy. Technological innovation, the cornerstone of efficient waste reduction, reuse, and recycling practices, has increasingly attracted global attention. The complexity and uncertainty of CDWMI innovation necessitate collaborative approaches. However, existing research primarily focuses on developing and applying specific technologies, overlooking macroscopic and quantitative measurements of collaborative innovation in the CDWMI. This research evaluates the overall state and dynamics of CDWMI collaborative innovation. First, we collected 1,050 cooperative patents and categorized the industry development into distinct stages using technology life cycle analysis. Next, we examined the network structure of collaborative innovation through social network analysis. Finally, we revealed network characteristics and evolutionary processes across different stages from geographical, technological, and organizational dimensions. The results indicate that geographical distance has no significant impact on partnership formation, the technological focus has shifted from recycled building materials to crushing technology, and core enterprises-dominated subgroups have emerged, exhibiting an island effect. This research offers an overview of the actual state of CDWMI collaborative innovation and its underlying causes, marking an advancement over existing research. The findings can assist policymakers in formulating evidence-based strategies to promote industry development.