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Can digital transformation promote green innovation in enterprises? the moderating effect of heterogeneous environmental regulations

Author

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  • Qiong Sun
  • Zhongsheng Wang
  • Yu Sun
  • Xiankai Huang

Abstract

Currently, digital transformation is having various impacts on enterprises around the world, including the green innovation. However, the current literature on the relationship between digitalization and green innovation in enterprises is scarce. What is the relationship between them, and whether heterogeneous environmental regulation has mediating effects, are questions that are worth exploring. Using a sample of listed manufacturing enterprises in China, this paper empirically tests the impact of digital transformation on enterprise green innovation. The results show that: (1) Digital transformation has a significant positive impact on green innovation, including green innovation output and green innovation capability. (2) Diverse environmental regulation may have mediating effects of digital transformation’s influence on green innovation. (3) After a number of robustness tests, the conclusions are still valid. This paper can provide a reference for developing green development strategies for manufacturing enterprises.

Suggested Citation

  • Qiong Sun & Zhongsheng Wang & Yu Sun & Xiankai Huang, 2024. "Can digital transformation promote green innovation in enterprises? the moderating effect of heterogeneous environmental regulations," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 19(6), pages 1-15, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:plo:pone00:0298191
    DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0298191
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Ming Yi & Xiaomeng Fang & Le Wen & Fengtao Guang & Yao Zhang, 2019. "The Heterogeneous Effects of Different Environmental Policy Instruments on Green Technology Innovation," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(23), pages 1-19, November.
    2. Yanli Ji & Jie Xue & Kaiyang Zhong, 2022. "Does Environmental Regulation Promote Industrial Green Technology Progress? Empirical Evidence from China with a Heterogeneity Analysis," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-23, January.
    3. Nengyu Liu & Yue Liu & Xiaofei Yu, 2023. "The impact of public environmental concern on environmental pollution: The moderating effect of government environmental regulation," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 18(8), pages 1-16, August.
    4. Yuanyang Wang & Yanlin Yang & Chenyu Fu & Zengzeng Fan & Xiaoping Zhou, 2021. "Environmental regulation, environmental responsibility, and green technology innovation: Empirical research from China," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 16(9), pages 1-21, September.
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    Cited by:

    1. Zhang, Xinyu & Liu, Yixuan & Yu, Shaoze & Lin, Ouwen & Meng, Lu, 2025. "Impact of environmental protection tax on enterprise digital transformation: Evidence from Chinese listed firms," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 97(C).

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