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Can Environmental Regulation Flexibility Explain the Porter Hypothesis?—An Empirical Study Based on the Data of China’s Listed Enterprises

Author

Listed:
  • Guichuan Zhou

    (Business School, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China)

  • Wendi Liu

    (Business School, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China)

  • Liming Zhang

    (Business School, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China)

  • Kaiwen She

    (School of Economics, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China)

Abstract

Previous studies indicate that the Porter hypothesis (PH) generates controversial and inconsistent conclusions on the impact of environmental regulation (ER) on business performance. As a result, based on the data of China’s A-share listed companies from 2016 to 2018, a moderated mediating effect model is established to examine the relationship between ER, technological innovation and business performance, as well as the moderating effect of environmental regulation flexibility (ERF) on the relationship. Results show that technological innovation has a significant mediating effect on the relationship between ER and business performance. Furthermore, ERF has a negative moderating effect on the mediating effect technological innovation exerted. At a certain degree, the flexible ER could weaken technological innovation’s mediating effects on the relationship between ER and business performance, and further could mitigate the negative impact of ER on both technological innovation and business performance. Also, an inflexible ER intensifies its negative effects on technological innovation and business performance, which is to the disadvantage of enterprises becoming the subject of environmental protection consciously and sustainably.

Suggested Citation

  • Guichuan Zhou & Wendi Liu & Liming Zhang & Kaiwen She, 2019. "Can Environmental Regulation Flexibility Explain the Porter Hypothesis?—An Empirical Study Based on the Data of China’s Listed Enterprises," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-14, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:11:y:2019:i:8:p:2214-:d:222285
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

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    2. Jin, Chenfei & Tsai, Fu-Sheng & Gu, Qiuyang & Wu, Bao, 2022. "Does the porter hypothesis work well in the emission trading schema pilot? Exploring moderating effects of institutional settings," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 62(C).
    3. Zhengge Tu & Tao Zhou & Ning Zhang, 2019. "Does China’s Pollution Levy Standards Reform Promote Green Growth?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(21), pages 1-18, November.
    4. Xinpeng Xing & Tiansen Liu & Lin Shen & Jianhua Wang, 2020. "Linking Environmental Regulation and Financial Performance: The Mediating Role of Green Dynamic Capability and Sustainable Innovation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-22, January.
    5. Xinpeng Xing & Tiansen Liu & Jianhua Wang & Lin Shen & Yue Zhu, 2019. "Environmental Regulation, Environmental Commitment, Sustainability Exploration/Exploitation Innovation, and Firm Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(21), pages 1-20, October.
    6. Eunmi Lee, 2020. "Environmental Regulation and Financial Performance in China: An Integrated View of the Porter Hypothesis and Institutional Theory," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(23), pages 1-22, December.

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