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Who invests more in advanced abatement technology? Theory and evidence

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  • Jing Cao
  • Larry D. Qiu
  • Mohan Zhou

Abstract

We study firm investment in abatement technology under a heterogeneous-firm framework. We find that more-productive firms make more (less) investment in abatement technology if investment and productivity are complements (substitutes). Under linear demand, firms abatement investments exhibit an inverted U-shape with respect to productivity level. This finding is in contrast to results in existing studies. We also find that in response to tightened environmental regulations, more-productive firms raise their respective investments in abatement technology, whereas less-productive firms do the opposite. More-productive firms have lower pollution emission intensity. The key theoretical predictions are confirmed by empirical tests using Chinese data.

Suggested Citation

  • Jing Cao & Larry D. Qiu & Mohan Zhou, 2016. "Who invests more in advanced abatement technology? Theory and evidence," Canadian Journal of Economics, Canadian Economics Association, vol. 49(2), pages 637-662, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:cje:issued:v:49:y:2016:i:2:p:637-662
    DOI: 10.1111/caje.12208
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    Cited by:

    1. Dingwen Wu & Hongjian Wang & Haiyan Jiang & Carl Hsin-Han Shen, 2025. "Spill-Over Effect of Tax Policy on the Environment: Evidence from Regression Discontinuity Design," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 88(7), pages 1905-1935, July.
    2. Jingbo Cui & Hang Qian, 2017. "The effects of exports on facility environmental performance: Evidence from a matching approach," The Journal of International Trade & Economic Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 26(7), pages 759-776, October.
    3. Liming Hong & Wei Huang & Sajid Anwar & Xiaofeng Lv, 2023. "North–South asymmetry, unilateral environmental policy and carbon tariffs," Pacific Economic Review, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 28(2), pages 241-266, May.
    4. Fei Peng & Langchuan Peng & Jie Mao & Peng Lu, 2021. "The Short-Run Effect of a Local Fiscal Squeeze on Pollution Abatement Expenditures: Evidence from China’s VAT Pilot Program," Environmental & Resource Economics, Springer;European Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, vol. 78(3), pages 453-485, March.
    5. Kurz, Antonia, 2024. "Within-country leakage due to the exemption of small emitters from emissions pricing," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 124(C).
    6. Dardati, Evangelina & Saygili, Meryem, 2021. "Are exporters cleaner? Another look at the trade-environment nexus," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 95(C).
    7. Hartmut Egger & Udo Kreickemeier & Philipp M. Richter, 2021. "Environmental Policy and Firm Selection in the Open Economy," Journal of the Association of Environmental and Resource Economists, University of Chicago Press, vol. 8(4), pages 655-690.
    8. Qiu, Larry D. & Zhou, Mohan & Wei, Xu, 2018. "Regulation, innovation, and firm selection: The porter hypothesis under monopolistic competition," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 92(C), pages 638-658.
    9. Juin‐Jen Chang & Yi‐Ling Cheng & Shin‐Kun Peng, 2022. "Trade, emissions, and regulatory (non‐)compliance: Implications of firm heterogeneity," Review of International Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 30(1), pages 57-82, February.
    10. Jevan Cherniwchan & Brian R. Copeland & M. Scott Taylor, 2017. "Trade and the Environment: New Methods, Measurements, and Results," Annual Review of Economics, Annual Reviews, vol. 9(1), pages 59-85, September.
    11. Forslid, Rikard & Okubo, Toshihiro & Ulltveit-Moe, Karen Helene, 2018. "Why are firms that export cleaner? International trade, abatement and environmental emissions," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 166-183.
    12. Ma, Teng, 2024. "Adoption of abatement technology in an uncertain world: An experiment," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 225(C), pages 51-87.
    13. Juin-Jen Chang & Yi-Ling Cheng & Shin-Kun Peng, 2019. "Trade, Emissions, and Regulatory (Non-)Compliance: Implications of Firm Heterogeneity," IEAS Working Paper : academic research 19-A005, Institute of Economics, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan.
    14. Hamaguchi, Yoshihiro, 2023. "Environmental tax evasion as a determinant of the Porter and pollution haven hypotheses in a corrupt political system," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 79(C), pages 610-633.
    15. Jiansuo Pei & Bodo Sturm & Anqi Yu, 2021. "Are exporters more environmentally friendly? A re‐appraisal that uses China’s micro‐data," The World Economy, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 44(5), pages 1402-1427, May.
    16. Yoshihiro Hamaguchi, 2024. "Whether to Abolish or Introduce Dual Regulation as Trade and Environmental Policy?," China & World Economy, Institute of World Economics and Politics, Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, vol. 32(1), pages 57-95, January.
    17. Qiu, Larry D. & Wei, Xu & Zhou, Mohan & Zhou, Yi, 2024. "Resource, competition, and the equilibrium effects of innovation subsidies," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 224(C), pages 297-322.
    18. Yue Hua & Mark Partridge & Weizeng Sun, 2023. "Pollution effects of place‐based policy: Evidence from China's development‐zone program," Journal of Regional Science, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 63(3), pages 703-727, June.
    19. Iwata, Hiroki, 2020. "Effects of competition forms and market structure on green innovation incentives," MPRA Paper 99305, University Library of Munich, Germany.

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    JEL classification:

    • Q50 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - General

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