Can export trade drive green transformation development of Chinese enterprises? based on the dual perspectives of export density and export domestic value-added rate

Using the Slack Based Measure model and the globally referenced Malmquist-Luenberger index, the green total factor productivity at the enterprise level is calculated from 2002 to 2013 in this paper. Based on this, the fixed effects model, system Generalized Method of Moments, and instrumental variable method are used to examine the impact of export trade on green transformation of enterprises from two perspectives: export density and export domestic value-added rate. The results show that the increased export density and export domestic value-added rate have greatly promoted the green development of enterprises. The internal mechanism is mainly reflected in the domestic market competition channels, management channels and terminal treatment channels. Heterogeneity analysis finds that the increase in export density has a significant promoting effect on the green transformation of coastal enterprises, enterprises engaged in general trade and comprehensive trade. The green effect of increasing the domestic value-added rate of exports on private enterprises and enterprises engaged in comprehensive trade is particularly evident. Both have a strong effect on improving green total factor productivity for enterprises established less than 40 years ago. The research conclusions provide important theoretical support for the coordinated and effective promotion of the development of open economy and green transformation.