IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/wly/sustdv/v32y2024i5p4535-4544.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Green finance policy instrument mix and firms' environmental innovation: Does firm life‐cycle stage matter?

Author

Listed:
  • Zhongju Liao
  • Lijun Xu
  • Mengnan Zhang

Abstract

Many countries around the world have introduced green finance policies to promote environmental innovation activities. Based on institutional theory and life‐cycle theory, this study constructs a model among green finance, life cycle, and firms' environmental innovation. The research sample consists of 558 Shanghai and Shenzhen A‐share manufacturing listed firms from 2010 to 2021. Using multiple regression analysis, this study examines the influences of green credit, green bonds, and the mix of the two on firms' environmental innovation and the moderating role of the firm life cycle. The results indicate that green credit, green bonds, and the mix of the two have positive effects on firms' environmental innovation. Green bonds and the mix of green credit and green bonds have stronger positive effects on firms' environmental innovation in the growth stage than in the maturity and recession stages. By introducing firms' life‐cycle theory, this study reveals the mechanism between green financial policy and firms' environmental innovation, and provides a reference for optimizing combinations of green financial policy measures to promote the development of firms' environmental innovation activities.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhongju Liao & Lijun Xu & Mengnan Zhang, 2024. "Green finance policy instrument mix and firms' environmental innovation: Does firm life‐cycle stage matter?," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 32(5), pages 4535-4544, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:sustdv:v:32:y:2024:i:5:p:4535-4544
    DOI: 10.1002/sd.2926
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://doi.org/10.1002/sd.2926
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1002/sd.2926?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
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Benfratello, Luigi & Schiantarelli, Fabio & Sembenelli, Alessandro, 2008. "Banks and innovation: Microeconometric evidence on Italian firms," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 90(2), pages 197-217, November.
    2. Lee, Chien-Chiang & Wang, Fuhao & Lou, Runchi & Wang, Keying, 2023. "How does green finance drive the decarbonization of the economy? Empirical evidence from China," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 204(C), pages 671-684.
    3. Taiwo Onifade, Stephen & Gyamfi, Bright Akwasi & Haouas, Ilham & Bekun, Festus Victor, 2021. "Re-examining the roles of economic globalization and natural resources consequences on environmental degradation in E7 economies: Are human capital and urbanization essential components?," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    4. Rennings, Klaus, 2000. "Redefining innovation -- eco-innovation research and the contribution from ecological economics," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 32(2), pages 319-332, February.
    5. Freeman, R. Edward, 1994. "The Politics of Stakeholder Theory: Some Future Directions1," Business Ethics Quarterly, Cambridge University Press, vol. 4(4), pages 409-421, October.
    6. Re‐Jin Guo & Baruch Lev & Nan Zhou, 2004. "Competitive Costs of Disclosure by Biotech IPOs," Journal of Accounting Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 42(2), pages 319-355, May.
    7. Fan, Haichao & Peng, Yuchao & Wang, Huanhuan & Xu, Zhiwei, 2021. "Greening through finance?," Journal of Development Economics, Elsevier, vol. 152(C).
    8. Jiancheng Bai & Zhonglu Chen & Xiang Yan & Yueyan Zhang, 2022. "Research on the impact of green finance on carbon emissions: evidence from China," Economic Research-Ekonomska Istraživanja, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 35(1), pages 6965-6984, December.
    9. Xiaofeng Quan & Yun Ke & Yuting Qian & Yao Zhang, 2023. "CEO Foreign Experience and Green Innovation: Evidence from China," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 182(2), pages 535-557, January.
    10. Wang, Jiazhen & Chen, Xin & Li, Xiaoxia & Yu, Jing & Zhong, Rui, 2020. "The market reaction to green bond issuance: Evidence from China," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 60(C).
    11. Wu, Xiaojuan & Dluhošová, Dana & Zmeškal, Zdeněk, 2023. "The moderating role of a corporate life cycle with the impact of economic value-added on corporate social responsibility: Evidence from China's listed companies," Emerging Markets Review, Elsevier, vol. 55(C).
    12. Brunnermeier, Smita B. & Cohen, Mark A., 2003. "Determinants of environmental innovation in US manufacturing industries," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 45(2), pages 278-293, March.
    13. Danny Miller & Peter H. Friesen, 1984. "A Longitudinal Study of the Corporate Life Cycle," Management Science, INFORMS, vol. 30(10), pages 1161-1183, October.
    14. Tang, Dragon Yongjun & Zhang, Yupu, 2020. "Do shareholders benefit from green bonds?," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 61(C).
    15. Flammer, Caroline, 2021. "Corporate green bonds," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 142(2), pages 499-516.
    16. Tan, Xiujie & Yan, Yaxue & Dong, Yuyang, 2022. "Peer effect in green credit induced green innovation: An empirical study from China's Green Credit Guidelines," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 76(C).
    17. Hasan, Mostafa Monzur & Habib, Ahsan, 2017. "Corporate life cycle, organizational financial resources and corporate social responsibility," Journal of Contemporary Accounting and Economics, Elsevier, vol. 13(1), pages 20-36.
    18. Pradit Withisuphakorn & Pornsit Jiraporn, 2016. "The effect of firm maturity on corporate social responsibility (CSR): do older firms invest more in CSR?," Applied Economics Letters, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 23(4), pages 298-301, March.
    19. Wang, Xinyue & Wang, Qing, 2021. "Research on the impact of green finance on the upgrading of China's regional industrial structure from the perspective of sustainable development," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    20. Wang, Quan-Jing & Tang, Kai & Hu, Hai-Qing, 2022. "The impact of digital finance on green innovation: Evidence from provinces in China," Innovation and Green Development, Elsevier, vol. 1(1).
    21. Zhang, Wei & Li, Guoxiang & Guo, Fanyong, 2022. "Does carbon emissions trading promote green technology innovation in China?," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 315(C).
    22. Sun, Yunpeng & Guan, Weimin & Razzaq, Asif & Shahzad, Mohsin & Binh An, Nguyen, 2022. "Transition towards ecological sustainability through fiscal decentralization, renewable energy and green investment in OECD countries," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 190(C), pages 385-395.
    23. Mueller, Dennis C, 1972. "A Life Cycle Theory of the Firm," Journal of Industrial Economics, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 20(3), pages 199-219, July.
    24. Xing, Chao & Zhang, Yuming & Tripe, David, 2021. "Green credit policy and corporate access to bank loans in China: The role of environmental disclosure and green innovation," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 77(C).
    25. J. A. Bouma & M. Verbraak & F. Dietz & R. Brouwer, 2019. "Policy mix: mess or merit?," Journal of Environmental Economics and Policy, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 8(1), pages 32-47, January.
    26. Zhongju Liao, 2020. "Is environmental innovation conducive to corporate financing? The moderating role of advertising expenditures," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 29(3), pages 954-961, March.
    27. Jeongmi Choi & Wooseok Choi & Eunsuh Lee, 2016. "Corporate Life Cycle and Earnings Benchmarks," Australian Accounting Review, CPA Australia, vol. 26(4), pages 415-428, December.
    28. Hyun, Suk & Park, Donghyun & Tian, Shu, 2021. "Pricing of Green Labeling: A Comparison of Labeled and Unlabeled Green Bonds," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 41(C).
    29. Zhang, Ran & Li, Yanru & Liu, Yingzhu, 2021. "Green bond issuance and corporate cost of capital," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 69(C).
    30. Shahzad, Farrukh & Lu, Jing & Fareed, Zeeshan, 2019. "Does firm life cycle impact corporate risk taking and performance?," Journal of Multinational Financial Management, Elsevier, vol. 51(C), pages 23-44.
    31. Li, Yanxi & Yu, Conghui & Shi, Jinyan & Liu, Yuanyuan, 2023. "How does green bond issuance affect total factor productivity? Evidence from Chinese listed enterprises," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 123(C).
    32. Hu, Guoqiang & Wang, Xiaoqi & Wang, Yu, 2021. "Can the green credit policy stimulate green innovation in heavily polluting enterprises? Evidence from a quasi-natural experiment in China," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 98(C).
    33. Janice A. Black & Kimberly B. Boal, 1994. "Strategic resources: Traits, configurations and paths to sustainable competitive advantage," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 15(S2), pages 131-148, June.
    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. Dong, Hanmin & Zhang, Lin & Zheng, Huanhuan, 2024. "Green bonds: Fueling green innovation or just a fad?," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 135(C).
    2. Vilija Aleknevičien&# & Asta Bendoraityt&#, 2023. "Role of Green Finance in Greening the Economy: Conceptual Approach," Central European Business Review, Prague University of Economics and Business, vol. 2023(2), pages 105-130.
    3. Manish Bansal, 2024. "Do shifting practices vary across the firm life cycle?," Australian Journal of Management, Australian School of Business, vol. 49(2), pages 142-169, May.
    4. Tian, Jinfang & Sun, Siyang & Cao, Wei & Bu, Di & Xue, Rui, 2024. "Make every dollar count: The impact of green credit regulation on corporate green investment efficiency," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 130(C).
    5. Wu, Xiaojuan & Dluhošová, Dana & Zmeškal, Zdeněk, 2023. "The moderating role of a corporate life cycle with the impact of economic value-added on corporate social responsibility: Evidence from China's listed companies," Emerging Markets Review, Elsevier, vol. 55(C).
    6. Zhang, Yongji & Lan, Minghui & Zhao, Yapu & Su, Zhi & Hao, Yu & Du, Heran, 2024. "Regional carbon emission pressure and corporate green innovation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 360(C).
    7. Ying Liu & Hongyun Huang & William Mbanyele & Fengrong Wang & Huiling Liu, 2024. "Does the issuance of green bonds nudge environmental responsibility engagements? Evidence from the Chinese green bond market," Financial Innovation, Springer;Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, vol. 10(1), pages 1-42, December.
    8. Jinyu Chen & Yan Yang & Ran Liu & Yuan Geng & Xiaohang Ren, 2023. "Green bond issuance and corporate ESG performance: the perspective of internal attention and external supervision," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 10(1), pages 1-12, December.
    9. Xin, Baogui & Jiang, Kai & Santibanez Gonzalez, Ernesto D.R., 2024. "The coevolution effect of central bank digital currency and green bonds on the net-zero economy," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 134(C).
    10. Li, Yanxi & Yu, Conghui & Shi, Jinyan & Liu, Yuanyuan, 2023. "How does green bond issuance affect total factor productivity? Evidence from Chinese listed enterprises," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 123(C).
    11. Ruan, Qingsong & Li, Chengyu & Lv, Dayong & Wei, Xiaokun, 2025. "Going Green: Effect of green bond issuance on corporate debt financing costs," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 75(PA).
    12. Li, Quan & Zhang, Kai & Wang, Li, 2022. "Where's the green bond premium? Evidence from China," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 48(C).
    13. Yucai Hu & Shaorui Du & Yukun Wang & Xinya Yang, 2023. "How Does Green Insurance Affect Green Innovation? Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(16), pages 1-15, August.
    14. Gan, Xiao Dong & Zheng, Xiao Yu & Li, Cong Cong & Zhu, Gui Qin, 2024. "Green bond issuance and trade credit access: Evidence from Chinese bond market," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 60(C).
    15. Huang, Chih-Yueh & Dekker, David & Christopoulos, Dimitrios, 2023. "Rethinking greenium: A quadratic function of yield spread," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 54(C).
    16. Ma, Yanbai & Lu, Ling & Cui, Jingbo & Shi, Xunpeng, 2024. "Can green credit policy stimulate firms’ green investments?," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 91(C), pages 123-137.
    17. Linzhi Han & Yafang Shi & Jianghua Zheng, 2024. "Can green credit policies improve corporate ESG performance?," Sustainable Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 32(3), pages 2678-2699, June.
    18. Huacheng Rao & Dongxu Chen & Feichao Shen & Yangyang Shen, 2022. "Can Green Bonds Stimulate Green Innovation in Enterprises? Evidence from China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(23), pages 1-19, November.
    19. Hu, Yi & Jin, Shuchang & Ni, Juan & Peng, Kai & Zhang, Lei, 2023. "Strategic or substantive green innovation: How do non-green firms respond to green credit policy?," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 126(C).
    20. Peng, Wei & Xiong, Langyu, 2022. "Managing financing costs and fostering green transition: The role of green financial policy in China," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 820-836.

    More about this item

    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:wly:sustdv:v:32:y:2024:i:5:p:4535-4544. 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: Wiley Content Delivery (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/10.1002/(ISSN)1099-1719 .

    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.