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Four ounces can move a thousand pounds: how enterprise digital platforms drive green technology co-innovation?

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  • Jia, Mengyu
  • Qi, Shaozhou
  • Li, Kai

Abstract

The latest wave of scientific and technological revolution coupled with industrial transformations has reconFig.d the division of labor within the global green and low-carbon industrial value chain. Digital platforms, as a distinct manifestation of new business capital, provide foundational infrastructure for leveraging knowledge and data resources whilst facilitating cross-organizational green co-innovation. From a co-innovation perspective, this paper constructs a theoretical model and employs a multi-temporal difference-in-differences (DID) econometric approach using A-share listed companies (2007-2023) to examine the mechanisms and effects of enterprise digital platforms on green technology co-innovation. Findings indicate digital platforms significantly enhance green technology co-innovation primarily through strengthening consumer preferences, improving resource allocation efficiency, and reducing collaboration barriers. Heterogeneity analysis reveals more pronounced green co-innovation effects in enterprises with strong absorptive capacity, technological positioning near the industry frontier, and operations in regions with advanced digital ecosystems. Further analysis demonstrates digital platforms can promote the long-term innovation persistence, expanding technological boundaries and reinforcing the transformation of patent outputs into tangible green outcomes. This research holds significant implications for leveraging digital platforms to empower micro-level green and low-carbon industrial development, optimize factor circulation and shaping new development paradigms, and establish mutually beneficial green innovation ecosystems.

Suggested Citation

  • Jia, Mengyu & Qi, Shaozhou & Li, Kai, 2026. "Four ounces can move a thousand pounds: how enterprise digital platforms drive green technology co-innovation?," Research in Economics, Elsevier, vol. 80(2).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:reecon:v:80:y:2026:i:2:s1090944326000050
    DOI: 10.1016/j.rie.2026.101115
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