IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/renene/v237y2024ipas0960148124016215.html

Thriving through innovation: Boosting green tech performance in China's new energy sector

Author

Listed:
  • Cheng, Xin
  • Gao, Jingyue
  • Liu, Yanting
  • Yu, Ziyi
  • He, Yuhan
  • Yu, Wenhao

Abstract

In response to the challenges of sustainable development, green technological innovation (GTI) is considered as a key driver of high-quality growth. However, current research often lacks a comprehensive assessment of GTI's multidimensional performance and rarely explores improvement pathways from a structural perspective. This study evaluates the GTI performance of China's new energy sector using data from 62 listed companies between 2015 and 2021, employing a Back Propagation (BP) neural network model optimized by a genetic algorithm. Additionally, it explores performance enhancement paths through fuzzy set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA). The findings indicate that: Industrial structure and human resource levels significantly boost GTI performance in the new energy sector; Optimizing and upgrading industrial structures plays a crucial role in GTI improvement; High Research and development (R&D) investment and human capital strengthen market competitiveness, leading to higher GTI levels; The development of GTI in the new energy sector exhibited a general upward trend, with notable differences across sub-industries and regions from 2015 to 2021. Based on these results, this study recommends differentiated industry support, targeted regional policies, and enhanced talent cultivation to improve GTI performance in China's emerging energy industry.

Suggested Citation

  • Cheng, Xin & Gao, Jingyue & Liu, Yanting & Yu, Ziyi & He, Yuhan & Yu, Wenhao, 2024. "Thriving through innovation: Boosting green tech performance in China's new energy sector," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 237(PA).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:237:y:2024:i:pa:s0960148124016215
    DOI: 10.1016/j.renene.2024.121553
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960148124016215
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.renene.2024.121553?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to

    for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Li Liang & Kai Xu, 2023. "Convergence analysis of regional sustainable innovation efficiency in China," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 25(3), pages 2758-2776, March.
    2. Xuanai Huang & Yaozhong Wang & Ying Chen & Zunguo Hu, 2024. "Green Technology Innovation and Enterprise Performance: An Analysis Based on Causal Machine Learning Models," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(6), pages 1-16, March.
    3. Yash Raj Shrestha & Vivianna Fang He & Phanish Puranam & Georg von Krogh, 2021. "Algorithm Supported Induction for Building Theory: How Can We Use Prediction Models to Theorize?," Organization Science, INFORMS, vol. 32(3), pages 856-880, May.
    4. Dag, Ali & Dag, Asli Z. & Asilkalkan, Abdullah & Simsek, Serhat & Delen, Dursun, 2023. "A Tree Augmented Naïve Bayes-based methodology for classifying cryptocurrency trends," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 156(C).
    5. Zhu, Lin & Luo, Jian & Dong, Qingli & Zhao, Yang & Wang, Yunyue & Wang, Yong, 2021. "Green technology innovation efficiency of energy-intensive industries in China from the perspective of shared resources: Dynamic change and improvement path," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 170(C).
    6. Zhao, Lingxiao & Liu, Xiao & Tang, Yunpeng & Zhang, Wenjing, 2024. "Functional subsidies, selective subsidies and corporate investment efficiency: Evidence from China," Emerging Markets Review, Elsevier, vol. 61(C).
    7. Li, Guangqin & Xue, Qing & Qin, Jiahong, 2022. "Environmental information disclosure and green technology innovation: Empirical evidence from China," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 176(C).
    8. Yang, Xiaoran & Ran, Rong & Chen, Yejing & Zhang, Jie, 2024. "Does digital government transformation drive regional green innovation? Evidence from cities in China," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 187(C).
    9. Wang, Yadong & Wang, Delu & Shi, Xunpeng, 2023. "Sustainable development pathways of China's wind power industry under uncertainties: Perspective from economic benefits and technical potential," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 182(C).
    10. Thomas Greckhamer, 2016. "CEO compensation in relation to worker compensation across countries: The configurational impact of country-level institutions," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 37(4), pages 793-815, April.
    11. Liu, Da & Liu, Yumeng & Sun, Kun, 2021. "Policy impact of cancellation of wind and photovoltaic subsidy on power generation companies in China," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 177(C), pages 134-147.
    12. Ragin, Charles C., 2006. "Set Relations in Social Research: Evaluating Their Consistency and Coverage," Political Analysis, Cambridge University Press, vol. 14(3), pages 291-310, July.
    13. Sun, Jingbo & Wang, Yang & He, Yuan & Cui, Wenrui & Chao, Qingchen & Shan, Baoguo & Wang, Zheng & Yang, Xiaofan, 2024. "The energy security risk assessment of inefficient wind and solar resources under carbon neutrality in China," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 360(C).
    14. Zhou, Yacheng & Huo, Weidong & Bo, Lan & Chen, Xiaoxian, 2023. "Impact and mechanism analysis of ESG ratings on the efficiency of green technology innovation," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 58(PD).
    15. Michael E. Porter & Claas van der Linde, 1995. "Toward a New Conception of the Environment-Competitiveness Relationship," Journal of Economic Perspectives, American Economic Association, vol. 9(4), pages 97-118, Fall.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Li, Jinghua & Qiu, Xuan & Zhu, Jiantao & Pang, Yuting, 2026. "Dynamic optimal distinctive configurations enabling manufacturing firms to achieve high green innovation efficiency," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 224(C).
    2. Zhao, Yujia & McLellan, Benjamin Craig & Wang, Chaofan & Shuai, Jing & Xiang, Wanting & Shuai, Chuanmin, 2026. "Risk dynamics and strategies of China's solar PV industry chain under trade frictions: A review," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 208(C).
    3. Zhao, Xing & Guo, Yifan & Feng, Tianchu, 2023. "Towards green recovery: Natural resources utilization efficiency under the impact of environmental information disclosure," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 83(C).
    4. Lee, Chien-Chiang & Qin, Shuai & Li, Yaya, 2022. "Does industrial robot application promote green technology innovation in the manufacturing industry?," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 183(C).
    5. Huang, Hongyun & Mbanyele, William & Wang, Fengrong & Song, Malin & Wang, Yuzhang, 2022. "Climbing the quality ladder of green innovation: Does green finance matter?," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 184(C).
    6. Lawton, Thomas C. & De Villa, Maria Andrea & Santamaria-Alvarez, Sandra Milena, 2024. "Making Sense of Socio-Political Risks in International Business: A Configurational Approach to Embracing Complexity," Journal of International Management, Elsevier, vol. 30(2).
    7. Wang, Qin & Wang, Ying, 2025. "What shapes export competitiveness of home country firms? Host country environmental regulations or labor standards," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 103(C).
    8. Li, Yilong & Huang, Yongjian & Sheng, Jie, 2025. "Policy-driven energy transition: China's low-carbon journey and global implications," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).
    9. Shao, Cuiying & Liu, Zhanyu, 2024. "Advancing green innovation through the establishment of data regulatory bodies: Insights from the Big Data Bureau in China," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 84(C), pages 308-325.
    10. Wei Deng & Qiaozhuan Liang & Peihua Fan & Lin Cui, 2020. "Social entrepreneurship and well-being: The configurational impact of institutions and social capital," Asia Pacific Journal of Management, Springer, vol. 37(4), pages 1013-1037, December.
    11. Bencsik, Barbara & Palmié, Maximilian & Parida, Vinit & Wincent, Joakim & Gassmann, Oliver, 2023. "Business models for digital sustainability: Framework, microfoundations of value capture, and empirical evidence from 130 smart city services," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 160(C).
    12. Lu, Zhiqiang & Li, Hongyu, 2023. "Does environmental information disclosure affect green innovation?," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C), pages 47-59.
    13. Gomes, Paulo J. & Silva, Graça Miranda & Sarkis, Joseph, 2020. "Exploring the relationship between quality ambidexterity and sustainable production," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 224(C).
    14. Tsai, Pei-Hsuan & Kao, Ya-Ling & Tang, Jia-Wei, 2023. "Key factors influencing mass willingness to use CESPs under green concept: ECOCO smart recyclers as a case study," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 195(C).
    15. Wenhua Hou & Xiaoqi Peng & Lin Wang, 2024. "The Influence of Contractual and Relational Governance on the Sustainable Performance of Public-Private Partnership Projects: Findings from PLS-SEM and fsQCA," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 15(3), pages 10826-10852, September.
    16. Wang, Ge & Li, Xiaoqiu & Gao, Yingjie & Zeng, Chen & Wang, Bingkun & Li, Xiangyu & Li, Xintong, 2023. "How does land consolidation drive rural industrial development? Qualitative and quantitative analysis of 32 land consolidation cases in China," Land Use Policy, Elsevier, vol. 130(C).
    17. Krista B. Lewellyn & Maureen I. Muller-Kahle, 2020. "The Corporate Board Glass Ceiling: The Role of Empowerment and Culture in Shaping Board Gender Diversity," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 165(2), pages 329-346, August.
    18. Zhang, Hua & Lai, Jie, 2024. "Auditing leading officials: Unintended consequences of government audit reform on corporate green innovation," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 139(C).
    19. Wang, Zhiwei & Wei, Lican & Wang, Song, 2025. "Navigating disruptive innovation through opportunity recognition: A configurational approach to team learning," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).
    20. Smits, Armand & Drabe, Viktoria & Herstatt, Cornelius, 2016. "Standard implementation trajectories for sustainable product design: A configurational approach," Working Papers 95, Hamburg University of Technology (TUHH), Institute for Technology and Innovation Management.

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:renene:v:237:y:2024:i:pa:s0960148124016215. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/renewable-energy .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.