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Digital Economy, R&D Investment, and Regional Green Innovation—Analysis Based on Provincial Panel Data in China

Author

Listed:
  • Debao Dai

    (Management School, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China)

  • Yaodong Fan

    (Business School, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, Shanghai 200083, China)

  • Guangyu Wang

    (Management School, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China)

  • Jiaping Xie

    (Business School, Shanghai University of Finance and Economics, Shanghai 200083, China)

Abstract

The digital economy plays an important role in promoting regional green innovation. Based on the panel data of 30 provincial administrative regions in mainland China (except Tibet) from 2011 to 2018, this paper constructs a comprehensive development index of the digital economy and explores the potential path of the digital economy affecting regional green innovation through factor analysis and regression analysis. The results show the following: Firstly, the digital economy can effectively promote regional green innovation capability. The causal relationship is mainly realized through scientific research funds and human resources. Secondly, in terms of regional heterogeneity, the role of the digital economy in promoting green innovation and R&D investment in eastern China is stronger than that in central and western China. Thirdly, further analysis showed that the digital economy has a significant nonlinear influence on regional green innovation capability. This feature is mainly reflected in the influence of R&D personnel on regional green innovation. Therefore, the rational allocation of R&D resources is conducive to the development of regional green innovation. Finally, it is suggested to improve the two mechanisms of R&D funds and personnel investment to actuate regional green innovation development.

Suggested Citation

  • Debao Dai & Yaodong Fan & Guangyu Wang & Jiaping Xie, 2022. "Digital Economy, R&D Investment, and Regional Green Innovation—Analysis Based on Provincial Panel Data in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-21, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:11:p:6508-:d:824672
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    2. Ruzong Xie, 2025. "Enhancing Green Economic Transition: Unveiling the Impact and Mechanisms of Integrated Human Capital on Green Total Factor Productivity," SAGE Open, , vol. 15(3), pages 21582440251, August.
    3. Yang, Senmiao & Jiang, Wanxin & Wang, Jianda, 2025. "How does ICT agglomeration promote green technology innovation? Evidence from Yangtze River Delta in China," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 147(C).
    4. Fengyan Wang & Guomin Song & Lanlan Liu, 2025. "Decentralization or Cooperation? The Impact of “Government–Market” Green Governance Synergy on Corporate Green Innovation: Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-31, September.
    5. Audi, Marc & Ahmad, Khalil & Poulin, Marc & Ali, Amjad, 2025. "From Globalization to Innovation: Investigating the impact of R&D, Internet Penetration, and Economic Factors on Digitalization in BRICS," MPRA Paper 124396, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    6. Yang, Su & Shen, Jie & Deng, Xiaopeng & Lu, Kun & Liu, Zeru & Cheng, Baoquan, 2024. "Digital economy revolutionizing green total factor productivity in construction industry," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 206(C).
    7. Juchun Lu & Siqun Zhou & Xiaohan Xiao & Meng Zhong & Yifan Zhao, 2023. "The Dynamic Evolution of the Digital Economy and Its Impact on the Urban Green Innovation Development from the Perspective of Driving Force—Taking China’s Yangtze River Economic Belt Cities as an Example," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-21, April.
    8. Ali Abbas & Mohd Abass Bhat & Muhammad Waqas, 2026. "Driving Sustainable Success: The Nexus of Green Supply Chains, Environmental Awareness, and Green Human Capital," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 17(2), pages 3975-4005, April.
    9. Jie Li & Zhengchuan Sun & Jie Zhou & Yaya Sow & Xufeng Cui & Haipeng Chen & Qianling Shen, 2023. "The Impact of the Digital Economy on Carbon Emissions from Cultivated Land Use," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(3), pages 1-18, March.
    10. Chen, Ji & Wu, Liudan & Hao, Lili & Yu, Xiao & Streimikiene, Dalia, 2024. "Does the import of green products encourage green technology innovation? Empirical evidence from China," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 200(C).
    11. Li, Xiaoyun & Yu, Tingting & Tang, Yuhong, 2024. "Intersection of the digital economy, redundant resources, and enterprise innovation: Unveiling the significance of Firm's resource consumption in China," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 97(C).
    12. Al Halbusi, Hussam & Al-Sulaiti, Khalid Ibrahim & Alalwan, Ali Abdallah & Al-Busaidi, Adil S., 2025. "AI capability and green innovation impact on sustainable performance: Moderating role of big data and knowledge management," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 210(C).

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