The AI-sustainability Nexus: How does intelligent transformation affect corporate green innovation?

Abstract

The deep integration of the digital economy and sustainable development has emerged as a critical theme in the current socio-economic transformation. However, existing research lacks a comprehensive exploration of how enterprise intelligent transformation empowers green innovation. This study employs intelligent manufacturing demonstration projects as a quasi-experiment, utilizing a staggered difference-in-differences model to examine the impact of enterprise intelligent transformation on green innovation. We analyze data from Chinese manufacturing A-share listed companies from 2011 to 2022. The findings reveal that: (1) Intelligent transformation significantly enhances both the quantity and quality of corporate green innovation. (2) This effect is realized through channels such as attracting on-site investigations by institutional investors, increasing media attention, improving internal control quality, and promoting human capital upgrading. (3) Heterogeneity analysis indicates that intelligent transformation exerts a more pronounced influence on green innovation in large-scale firms, high-tech industry firms, and firms located in regions with stringent environmental regulations. Based on these findings, we propose targeted recommendations for refining policies on enterprise intelligent transformation and green innovation.