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The digital imprint: The impact of executives' digital experience on green innovation decoupling

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  • Lu, Zhenye

Abstract

This study investigates how executives’ digital experience mitigates green innovation decoupling, drawing on imprinting theory. Using a sample of Chinese listed firms, we find executives with digital imprint significantly reduce decoupling by enhancing technological sensitivity (identifying quantity-focused low-value patents) and fostering systems thinking (prioritizing quality-aligned innovation). The mitigating effect is stronger in firms with high information asymmetry, severe agency problems, low external environmental legitimacy (e.g., reduced media scrutiny), and no institutional investor site visits. Our findings are robust and prompt firms to reflect on the drawbacks of prioritizing green innovation quantity and contribute to research on executive digital imprints in green innovation, resource allocation, and sustainable value creation.

Suggested Citation

  • Lu, Zhenye, 2025. "The digital imprint: The impact of executives' digital experience on green innovation decoupling," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 86(PD).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finlet:v:86:y:2025:i:pd:s1544612325018811
    DOI: 10.1016/j.frl.2025.108627
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