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Can Agriculture-Related Enterprises’ Green Technological Innovation Ride the “Digital Inclusive Finance” Wave?

Author

Listed:
  • Gu Ning

    (Center for Quantitative Economics, Jilin University, Changchun, China)

  • Zhao Xiangyuan

    (School of Economics and Management, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China)

  • Fu Chengbo

    (School of Business, University of Northern British Columbia, Prince Geroge, BC, Canada)

Abstract

This article systematically examines how digital inclusive finance drives green technological innovation in agriculture-related enterprises. The findings reveal three key insights. First, digital inclusive finance fosters both the “quantity expansion” and “quality enhancement” of green technological innovation in agriculture-related enterprises. Second, this effect operates through three mechanisms: improving financial accessibility, reducing information asymmetry, and stimulating innovation vitality. Third, the impact of digital inclusive finance is heterogeneous – its driving effect is more pronounced in non-state-owned enterprises, highly digitally transformed firms, businesses in non-heavily polluting industries, and enterprises located in eastern China. In summary, this article uncovers an important channel through which digital inclusive finance promotes green technological innovation in agriculture-related enterprises and provides empirical evidence for relevant policy formulation.

Suggested Citation

  • Gu Ning & Zhao Xiangyuan & Fu Chengbo, 2025. "Can Agriculture-Related Enterprises’ Green Technological Innovation Ride the “Digital Inclusive Finance” Wave?," Economics - The Open-Access, Open-Assessment Journal, De Gruyter, vol. 19(1), pages 1-25.
    • Handle: RePEc:bpj:econoa:v:19:y:2025:i:1:p:25:n:1002
    DOI: 10.1515/econ-2025-0174
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • C33 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Multiple or Simultaneous Equation Models; Multiple Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • G20 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - General
    • G30 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - General
    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
    • Q01 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - General - - - Sustainable Development
    • Q14 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Agriculture - - - Agricultural Finance
    • Q55 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Technological Innovation

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