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The Influence of Customer ESG Performance on Supplier Green Innovation Efficiency: A Supply Chain Perspective

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  • Shengen Huang

    (School of Economics and Management, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China)

  • Yalian Zhang

    (School of Economics and Management, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China
    Institute of Green Development of Hunan Province, Changsha 410004, China
    Research Base for Ecological Civilization Construction of Hunan Province, Changsha 410004, China)

  • Tianji Cheng

    (School of Economics and Management, Central South University of Forestry and Technology, Changsha 410004, China)

  • Xin Guo

    (School of Business and Creative Industries, University of the West of Scotland, Paisley PA1 2BE, UK)

Abstract

The present study examines the impact of customer firms’ environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance on suppliers’ green innovation efficiency, grounded in stakeholder theory and innovation diffusion theory. The DEA-SBM model is employed to measure green innovation efficiency and analyze transmission mechanisms through knowledge spillovers, financing constraints, and the moderating roles of executives’ green cognition and digitization. This analysis is based on panel data from 3134 customer–supplier pairs of China’s A-share listed firms from 2014 to 2023. The findings indicate that high ESG performance by customer firms has a substantial impact on suppliers’ green innovation efficiency, with a 1% increase in customer ESG score resulting in a 1.38% improvement in supplier efficiency. The phenomenon under scrutiny is hypothesized to be precipitated by knowledge spillovers and mitigated by reduced financing constraints. The hypothesis further posits that supplier firm executives’ green cognition and customer digitization will amplify the effect. A heterogeneity analysis reveals stronger effects in technology-intensive firms and regions with higher governmental environmental oversight. These findings underscore the pivotal function of ESG-driven supply chain collaboration in propelling sustainable industrialization. It is imperative that policymakers prioritize cross-regional ESG benchmarking and digital infrastructure to amplify green spillovers. Conversely, firms must integrate ESG metrics into supplier evaluation systems and foster executive training on sustainability. This research provides empirical evidence for the optimization of green innovation policies and the achievement of China’s dual carbon goals through the coordination of supply chain governance.

Suggested Citation

  • Shengen Huang & Yalian Zhang & Tianji Cheng & Xin Guo, 2025. "The Influence of Customer ESG Performance on Supplier Green Innovation Efficiency: A Supply Chain Perspective," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-27, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:12:p:5519-:d:1679693
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    3. Hall, Bronwyn H., 2002. "The Financing of Research and Development," Department of Economics, Working Paper Series qt34c1c643, Department of Economics, Institute for Business and Economic Research, UC Berkeley.
    4. Hall, Bronwyn, 2002. "The Financing of Research and Development," Department of Economics, Working Paper Series qt5rf0x9gz, Department of Economics, Institute for Business and Economic Research, UC Berkeley.
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