Abstract:    The orderly flow of data elements, as a new type of innovation factor to cultivate new dynamics of economic growth, is the key to stimulating the potential of data elements. From the perspective of data element flow environment, this paper adopted the Laurie gravity model to construct the spatial correlation network of data element flow, examined the circulation of data element flow with the help of social network analysis method, and adopted the stochastic actor model to explore the role mechanism of the driving factors of the evolution of spatial network structure, and measured the relative importance of each driving factor. The results showed that: (1) the flow of data elements is characterized by a network structure, with frequent flow of data elements between provincial-level regions and obvious spatial linkage effects; (2) Under the impetus of policies such as "data in the east and handling capacity in the west"; the sources of plate members are diversified; the roles assumed by regions are dynamic; the flow of data elements is gradually showing polycentric characteristics; and the topology of the spatial correlation network of the flow of data elements is more complex; (3) Endogenous structural factors play a dominant role in the evolution of the network structure, and each provincial-level region promotes the flow of data elements by strengthening the division of labor and cooperation through the industrial chain. Among the exogenous attribute factors, reducing the government′s non-market intervention and enhancing regional innovation capability are conducive to accelerating the flow of data elements. This study will provide a new perspective on the construction of a unified national market.

Key words: data element, spatial association network, social network analysis, driving mechanism, stochastic actor-oriented model