The spatial-temporal evolution pattern and influencing factors of China’s digital technology innovation

Based on the panel data of 30 provinces from 2011 to 2020, a comprehensive evaluation index system of digital technology innovation is constructed from the three dimensions of innovation input, output and environment. Entropy method and natural fracture method are used to analyze the temporal and spatial evolution pattern of digital technology innovation. Grey relational model and bidirectional fixed effect model are adopted to probe the influencing factors. The results show that: (1) The digital technology innovation level of our country shows a significantly increasing trend. The four regions in order of descending development level are the eastern, central, northeast and west region, and the growth rate in descending order of the four is the central, western, eastern and northeast region; (2) There is a significant inter-provincial gap in the level of digital technology innovation, with Guangdong, Jiangsu and Beijing taking the lead, and Anhui, Jiangxi and Henan coming up the next, and Gansu, Hainan, Ningxia and Qinghai lagging behind; (3) The input of financial resource and talent, the output of economy, knowledge and business, the environment of opening up policy, economy and culture exert a positive influence to various degrees, while entrepreneurial environment and infrastructure input inflict an insignificant inhibitory effects. Based on these findings, some suggestions were put forth to promote the development of digital technology innovation.