Network configurations and R&D activities of the ICT industry in Suzhou municipality, China

► We analyze the network structure and R&D activities of the information and communication technology (ICT) industry in Suzhou municipality. ► The ICT industry in Suzhou has a dual-structure, segmented between foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs) and domestic firms. ► TNCs tend to network among themselves, while the linkages sbetween TNCs and local firms are weak. ► A series of technological, structural, spatial, and institutional ''mismatches” limits the establishment of ''global pipelines” of knowledge exchange.