Two new papers analysing labour market integration from a city network perspective:
Liu, X., Derudder, B., Wang, B. and Witlox, F. (2025) ‘Interconnected cities, integrated markets: exploring the impact of transport networks on labor market integration in the Yangtze River Delta, China’, Growth and Change, 56 (4), e70068.
This paper examines the impact of cities’ network connections on regional labor market integration in megacity-regions. By applying a panel model to data for the Yangtze River Delta between 2014 and 2021, we analyze the impact of transport networks on labor market integration and explore the (potential) mechanisms in terms of network externalities. Our empirical analysis suggests a positive association between connectivity in transport networks and labor market integration. We also observe evidence of indirect effects: transport networks allow cities to benefit from network externalities associated with effective labor matching, specifically by reducing geographical distance restrictions and lowering matching costs, thus contributing to the increased integration of labor markets. We reflect on the broader implications of our empirical findings for regional development strategies and discuss possible avenues for further research.
https://doi.org/10.1111/grow.70068
Liu, X., Derudder, B. and Witlox, F. (2025) ‘Interconnected track and tech: the impact of multiplex transport and technology networks on labour market integration in the Yangtze River Delta, China’, Technology Analysis & Strategic Management.
Despite growing scholarly attention to the role of urban networks in explaining regional integration dynamics, a more explicit focus on the multiplexity of infrastructure- and knowledge-based networks is required for understanding the nuanced ways in which cities regionally integrate. Applying a panel model to data for the Yangtze River Delta for the period 2014–2021, we juxtapose the impacts of transport and technology connections on labour market integration. To this end, we abstract both types of connections into a two-layer network and explore their (potential) interplays. Our analysis reveals that while transport networks show a positive correlation with labour market integration, technology networks demonstrate a complex U-shaped effect. We also find evidence for nuanced interactions in the multiplex network: (1) cities’ connectivity in both networks leads to a U-shaped effect on labour market integration due to the dominant role of technology connections; (2) cities’ interdependencies within the two-layer network lead to synergy effects, specifically manifested as increased integration of labour markets. We reflect on the broader implications of our findings for regional development strategies and discuss possible avenues for future research.
https://doi.org/10.1080/09537325.2025.2566143