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The green innovation effect of industrial robot applications: Evidence from Chinese manufacturing companies

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  • Liu, Xiaoqian
  • Cifuentes-Faura, Javier
  • Yang, Xiaodong
  • Pan, Junyu

Abstract

Artificial intelligence has emerged to revolutionize society in China. Investigating whether industrial robot applications (IRAs) can contribute to Chinese economic prosperity has significant theoretical and practical significance. For this purpose, this study estimates the impact of IRAs on green innovation by decomposing the industry robot stock to the corporate level using global industry robot data and manufacturing data from Chinese manufacturing listed companies by constructing a Bartik instrumental variable. The results show that IRAs notably promote corporate green innovation. However, IRAs do not contribute equally to all corporations in green creation. Its effects on green innovation are mainly observed in larger corporations, technology-intensive industries, and corporations located in developed cities. Digital transformation, management efficiency, and CEO's information technology (IT) background can further strengthen the green innovation effect of IRAs. We conclude that the rational exploitation of artificial intelligence drives the economy towards green development.

Suggested Citation

  • Liu, Xiaoqian & Cifuentes-Faura, Javier & Yang, Xiaodong & Pan, Junyu, 2025. "The green innovation effect of industrial robot applications: Evidence from Chinese manufacturing companies," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 210(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:tefoso:v:210:y:2025:i:c:s0040162524007029
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techfore.2024.123904
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