2.2. Add supplementary industries to pillar industries
The second step is, through forward, backward and sideward diffusion
effect analysis of pillar industries [8], to identify and add
forward, backward and sideward connected industries, which are
integrated with pillar industries to enhance structure stability. In
current study, the forward connected industries are defined as the
downstream sectors of pillar industries providing further processing
or after-production services to the latter; the backward connected
industries are the upstream sectors of pillar industries which provide
material and energy or services before production; and the sideward
connected industries support supplementary services to
production processes.