How does Digital Transformation Affect the Conversion of R&D Investment into Green Technological Innovation in Enterprises ?

Ning Cao; Beibei Liu; Jianjun Wang

doi:10.63313/EBM.9104

Authors

Ning Cao School of Business, Shanghai Dianji University, Shanghai 201316, China Author
Beibei Liu School of Business, Shanghai Dianji University, Shanghai 201316, China Author
Jianjun Wang School of Economics and Management, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.63313/EBM.9104

Keywords:

R&D investment, Enterprise green technological innovation, Digital transformation, Sustainable development

Abstract

Against the backdrop of global climate change and intensified resource constraints, green technological innovation has become the core driving force for enterprises to achieve sustainable development. Although research and development(R&D) investment is widely recognized as a key element in promoting green technological innovation in enterprises and has received considerable attention, the moderating role of digital transformation, an emerging technological environment factor, in the process of converting R&D investment into green technological innovation in enterprises has rarely been explored. Based on the resource-based theory and the innovation process theory, this paper aims to deeply investigate the impact of R&D investment on green technological innovation in enterprises and further analyze how digital transformation plays a moderating role in this process. Through an empirical study of sample data from manufacturing enterprises listed on the A-share market from 2013 to 2024, the following findings were discovered: (1) R&D investment has a significant positive impact on green technological innovation in enterprises, meaning that R&D investment is conducive to promoting both substantive and strategic green technological innovation in enterprises;(2) Digital transformation has a significant positive impact on green technological innovation in enterprises, indicating that digital transformation is beneficial for enterprises to carry out both strategic and substantive green technological innovation;(3)Digital transformation positively moderates the relationship between R&D investment and green technological innovation, meaning that enterprises with a high degree of digital transformation can more effectively convert R&D investment into substantive and strategic green technological innovation. This research finding reveals the crucial role of digital transformation in facilitating the conversion of R&D investment into green technological innovation, providing practical guidance for enterprises in formulating R&D strategies and digital transformation strategies to accelerate the pace of green technological innovation.

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