Driving mechanism and spatial effect of technological potential energy agglomeration promoting the development of high-tech industry

The current technological potential energy agglomeration situation and the driving mechanism for high-tech (HT) industry development can be clarified based on the front view of innovative behaviour. Thus, it can be defined using three dimensions: comprehensive innovation environment, innovation initiative and attraction of innovation factors. This study theoretically investigates the internal mechanism and spatial effect of technological potential energy agglomeration driving the development of the HT industry and establishes an empirical analysis using a general nested space model (GNS). China’s regional technological potential energy agglomeration level increases over time, and a ‘conduction’ development pattern spreading from the northeast to the southwest is observed. The diversified agglomeration of technological potential energy can significantly transform the low- and medium-tech (LMT) industry to the HT industry at the 1% level, with a driving force of 0.5994. The driving force of the specialised agglomeration is 0.2538, less than the diversified agglomeration. The specialised agglomeration of technological potential energy hinders the development of HT industries in neighbouring areas, as core technologies are excusive with limited innovation resources. Therefore, all provinces should promote HT industries by cultivating platforms for technological potential energy agglomeration, encouraging technological innovation, strengthening foreign trade and promoting institutional innovation.