Digital transformation and corporate green innovation forms: evidence from China

Digitization empowers businesses to provide the momentum for green transformation. Using the Chinese listed companies from 2007 to 2020 as the sample, this study examines the effect of digital transformation (DIGT) on corporate green innovation (CGI) from the perspective of innovation forms. We find that DIGT has a positive impact on CGI, with DIGT both promoting corporate independent green innovation (CIGI) and corporate cooperative green innovation (CCGI). We find heterogeneity in the effects of DIGT on CGI, CIGI, and CCGI across firms and industries. In terms of mechanism, we verify the mechanism channels of investment efficiency, R&D investment, financial support and market supervision. Moreover, environmental regulation can positively moderate the green innovation effect of DIGT. This study provides empirical evidence of the green innovation effect of DIGT in the world’s largest developing country.