Evolutionary Dynamics of Cross-Regional Cooperation Networks in Construction Projects: Case of the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area

Cross-regional engineering projects require cooperation among organizations operating under different legal and institutional systems. However, the evolution of these cooperation networks over time remains insufficiently understood. This study investigates the evolutionary dynamics of cross-regional cooperation networks in construction projects in the Guangdong–Hong Kong–Macao Greater Bay Area from 2000 to 2024, employing a two-mode social network analysis and exponential random graph models. Drawing on data from 218 project organizations, this study models contractual relationships between buyer and supplier organizations to capture the asymmetric and role-specific nature of project-based collaboration. The results reveal a phased trajectory of network evolution, from early decentralization to policy-driven expansion, followed by temporary recentralization during the COVID-19 shock and a more balanced hybrid reconfiguration in the recovery period. The formation of new cooperation relationships was shaped by the distinct roles of buyers and suppliers, existing network patterns, and regulatory environments. These influences also varied across phases. This study advances understanding of how cross-regional construction cooperation adapts to policy changes and external disruptions and provides implications for governance and resilience in multijurisdictional organization networks.