Does digital transformation foster corporate social responsibility? Evidence from Chinese mining industry

Can digitalization break the political resource curse? A study on political connections and corporate green innovation

Digitalization and greening are inexorable trends in enterprise development today. Based on data from Chinese listed companies from 2008 to 2020, this study examines the relationship between political connections and firms' green innovation, exploring whether digitalization can break the political resource curse and promote green innovation. We find that political connections hinder firms' green innovation, indicating the existence of the political resource curse. Our moderating effect analysis shows that the higher the degree of digitalization of firms, the more significant the decrease in the negative effect of political connections on green innovation, thereby breaking the political resource curse. Heterogeneity analysis shows that the positive moderating effect of digitalization is higher on private firms and firms with more redundant resources. Finally, mechanistic analysis indicates that political connections hinder firms' green innovation by reducing operational efficiency.

Digital transformation and green total factor productivity of heavy pollution enterprises: Impact, mechanism and spillover effect

Digital transformation offers considerable potential promoting corporate economic benefits as well as green performance. However, the effect and underlying mechanisms of digital transformation on green development levels of heavy pollution enterprises have yet to be fully clarified. We investigated the relationship between digital transformation and green total factor productivity using data from Chinese listed heavy pollution enterprises between 2011 and 2021. Results demonstrate that: (1) Digital transformation promotes green total factor productivity of heavy pollution enterprises. (2) This enhancement can be achieved through promoting green investment, improving management efficiency, and enhancing green innovation capabilities. (3) Environmental regulation positively moderates the relationship between digital transformation and green total factor productivity. (4) Digital transformation has a spillover effect on the green total factor productivity of upstream heavy pollution enterprises, while the impact on downstream enterprises is not significant. Targeted policy recommendations were proposed according to the research findings.

The influence of digital platform on the implementation of corporate social responsibility: from the perspective of environmental science development to explore its potential role in public health

Introduction

This paper aims to explore the intersection of corporate social responsibility (CSR) and public health within the context of digital platforms. Specifically, the paper explores the impact of digital platforms on the sustainable development practices of enterprises, seeking to comprehend how these platforms influence the implementation of environmental protection policies, resource management, and social responsibility initiatives.

Methods

To assess the impact of digital platforms on corporate environmental behavior, we conducted a questionnaire survey targeting employees in private enterprises. This survey aimed to evaluate the relationship between the adoption of digital platforms and the implementation of environmental protection policies and practices.

Results

Analysis of the survey responses revealed a significant positive correlation between the use of digital platforms and the environmental protection behavior of enterprises (r = 0.523 ; p < 0.001 ), Moreover, the presence of innovative environmental protection technologies on these platforms was found to positively influence the enforcement of environmental policies, with a calculated impact ratio of (a ∗ b / c = 55.31 % ). An intermediary analysis highlighted that environmental innovation technology plays a mediating role in this process. Additionally, adjustment analysis showed that enterprises of various sizes and industries respond differently to digital platforms, indicating the need for tailored environmental policies.

Discussion

These findings underscore the pivotal role of digital platforms in enhancing CSR efforts and public health by fostering improved environmental practices among corporations. The mediating effect of environmental innovation technologies suggests that digital platforms not only facilitate direct environmental actions but also enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of such initiatives through technological advances. The variability in response by different enterprises points to the importance of customizable strategies in policy formulation. By offering empirical evidence of digital platforms' potential to advance CSR and public health through environmental initiatives, this paper contributes to the ongoing dialogue on sustainable development goals. It provides practical insights for enterprises and policy implications for governments striving to craft more effective environmental policies and strategies.

Exploring the relationship between digital transformation and green innovation: The mediating role of financing modes

Green innovation is important and beneficial for the green development of enterprises. The development of digital technology could improve the asymmetry of information and affect the enterprise's financing modes. Currently, a definitive conclusion about the relationship between the digital transformation and green technology innovation has not reached. Additionally, studies have not yet fully explored the impact pathways of corporate digital transformation on green innovation through corporate financing modes. To fill this void, this study collected data of Chinese A-share listed companies from 2010 to 2020. The empirical analysis results showed that digital transformation significantly enhanced enterprises' green innovation abilities. Furthermore, mediating models were utilized to explore how enterprise financing modes mediate the impact of digital transformation on the enterprise green innovation. Results indicated that through internal financing and bank loans as "bridges", digital transformation promoted enterprise green innovation. However, digital transformation did not have a significant impact on enterprise green innovation through venture capital. Moreover, heterogeneity analyses revealed significant differences among different groups of enterprises. This study expands the research field related to digital transformation and enterprise green innovation by providing empirical evidence to uncover the impact of digital transformation on enterprise green innovation. Findings of this study contribute not only to enterprise managerial decision-makers to better leverage digital transformation through corporate financing to accelerate green innovation, but also to government policymakers to design policies to stimulate enterprise green innovation.