Research on the Impact Mechanism of Digital Transformation on Enterprise Ecological Innovation: An Empirical Analysis Based on Chinese A-share Listed Companies
摘要
In the knowledge economy, digital transformation serves as a critical knowledge enabler, reshaping how firms acquire, integrate, and apply information to drive sustainable innovation. Within this context, this research delves into this mechanism, concentrating on the impacts of technological advancements on knowledge creation, the influence of experiential learning effects on knowledge accumulation, the role of innovation cooperation networks in facilitating knowledge spillovers, and the easing of financial constraints to support knowledge-intensive R&D. Employing microdata from Chinese A-share listed firms between 2013 and 2022, this investigation utilizes a multidimensional fixed effects framework for empirical examinations. The central results demonstrate a significant favorable influence of digital transformation on the ecological innovation of businesses. These findings remain resilient across diverse examinations and endure scrutiny for potential endogeneity. Mechanism analysis further reveals that this effect can play a role in four ways: promoting technological innovation through knowledge creation, promoting experience learning and knowledge accumulation, establishing knowledge sharing networks and easing financial constraints to support knowledge-intensive green research and development. In conclusion, We propose that governmental entities enact a variety of supportive measures, establish cooperative innovation platforms and entities, explore scenarios for applying digital technologies in ecological innovation, and bolster the advancement and investment in digital infrastructure to foster the ecological innovation of businesses.