The impact of CSR disclosure and the roles of actors in the innovation ecosystem on firms' green innovation performance

This study explores how the disclosure of corporate social responsibility (CSR) influences firms' green innovation performance and specifically scrutinises the roles of actors in the innovation ecosystem, including suppliers, users, and governments. We investigate the green innovation performance of 79 listed firms with 337 firm-year observations in China, covering the period from 2006 to 2020. The results show that not only firms' CSR disclosure but also firms' suppliers and users who are experienced in green practices can improve firms' green innovation performance. Moreover, suppliers with much green practice experience are also found to positively moderate the relationship between CSR disclosure and firms' green innovation performance. This study provides a new lens through which to understand the mechanisms of firms' green innovation and provides policymakers and managers with a different mentality when formulating regulations and innovation strategies.