Research on the Mechanism of Digital Government Development's Impact on Corporate Green Transformation
Journal: Modern Economics & Management Forum DOI: 10.32629/memf.v7i2.5180
Abstract
Against the backdrop of digital-green integration, whether and how digital government drives corporate green transformation is key to advancing both "Digital China" and "dual carbon" goals. Using 2014–2023 panel data of A-share listed firms, this paper employs a DID model based on the 2018 National Comprehensive Pilot Program for Electronic Government to assess the impact of digital government on corporate green transformation. Results show that digital government significantly promotes such transformation, with robustness confirmed. Heterogeneity analysis reveals stronger effects in SOEs, eastern regions, and urban clusters. Mechanism tests identify three pathways: digital transformation, green technology innovation, and environmental regulation optimization. This study offers empirical insights for optimizing digital governance and green policies during the 15th Five-Year Plan period.
Keywords
digital government; corporate green transformation; digital transformation; green technology innovation; environmental regulation
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[30]He Xiaoping, Chen Jiahui, Yu Yuxuan. Green Transition and Labor Reallocation: Microevidence from Supply Chain Enterprises [J]. Chinese Industrial Economics, 2025, (10): 117-135.
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[32]Xu Jia, Cui Jingbo. Low-Carbon Cities and Green Technological Innovation in Enterprises [J]. Chinese Journal of Industrial Economics, 2020, (12): 178-196.
[2]Xie Xuemei, Han Yuhang. How Can Local Manufacturing Enterprises Achieve a “Spectacular Transformation” Through Green Innovation? — A Multi-Case Study Based on the Attention-Based Perspective [J]. Management World, 2022, 38(03): 76-106.
[3]Wang Lei, Xu Jun. Digital Government Empowering Industrial Structure Upgrading: A Quasi-Experimental Study Based on Comprehensive E-Government Pilot Programs [J]. Journal of Finance and Economics, 2024, (05): 28-38.
[4]Wang Ling. A Study on the Transformation of Chinese Government Regulation in the Digital Economy Era [J]. Management World, 2024, 40(03): 110–126+204+127.
[5]Jiao Wei, Zhang Chao, Wang Yong. The Impact of Digital Government Development on Common Prosperity: A Study Based on Data from 293 Prefecture-Level Cities in China, 2016–2022 [J]. International Journal of Economics and Finance, 2025, 102104353–104353.
[6]Zheng Xiao, Yu Liang, Liu Qing, et al. Digital Government Development, the Two-Way Interaction Between Material and Spiritual Civilization, and the Dual Regulation of Sustainable Energy: Causal Inference Based on Spatial DID and Dual Machine Learning [J]. Sustainable Development, 2025, 17(11):4975-4975.
[7]Liao Fuchong. Has “Internet Plus Government Services” Optimized the Business Environment? — A Fuzzy Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis Based on 31 Provinces [J]. E-Government, 2020, (12): 99-109.
[8]Xiang Dong. Deepening Government Transparency in Digital Government Construction to Promote the Modernization of the National Governance System and Governance Capacity [J]. Chinese Public Administration, 2020, (11):15-16.
[9]Hu Jie, Yu Xianrong, Han Yiming. Can ESG Ratings Promote Corporate Green Transformation? — An Empirical Test Using a Multi-period Difference-in-Differences Method [J]. Research on Quantitative and Technical Economics, 2023, 40(07):90-111.
[10]Tian Shuying, Sun Lei, Xu Wenli, et al. A Study on How Fiscal Policy Promotes Corporate Transformation and Upgrading Under Green and Low-Carbon Development Goals: Evidence from the “Comprehensive Demonstration Cities for Energy Conservation and Emission Reduction Fiscal Policies” Pilot Program [J]. Fiscal Research, 2022, (08):79-96.
[11]Chen Fenggong, Zhang Yihao. Green Bond Issuance, Corporate Green Transition, and Market Incentive Effects [J]. Financial Research, 2023, (03): 131–149.
[12]Chen Guojin, Ding Saijie, Zhao Xiangqin, et al. China’s Green Finance Policies, Financing Costs, and Corporate Green Transformation: A Perspective Based on the Central Bank’s Collateral Policy [J]. Financial Research, 2021, (12): 75–95.
[13]Wan Panbing, Yang Mian, Chen Lin. How Environmental Technical Standards Influence the Green Transition of China’s Manufacturing Sector: A Perspective Based on Technological Upgrades [J]. China Industrial Economics, 2021, (09): 118-136.
[14]Fan Yuying, Chen Dongjing, Zheng Haotian. The Impact and Mechanism of New Energy Demonstration City Construction on the Green Transition of Industrial Enterprises [J]. Resource Science, 2024, 46(09):1685-1698.
[15]Wang Jiajing, Sheng Nan. Digital Transformation as a Driver of Green Innovation in Enterprises: An Analysis Based on Information, Resource, and Technology Effects [J]. Journal of Beijing University of Technology (Social Sciences Edition), 2024, 24(05): 113–130.
[16]Han Chunhui. Optimizing the Business Environment and Building a Digital Government [J]. Journal of Shanghai Jiao Tong University (Philosophy and Social Sciences Edition), 2021, 29(06): 31-39.
[17]Zhou Jian, Zhang Yingxin, Li Zhichao. Agenda-Driven and Action-Enabling: Government Agenda Focus and Official Characteristics in the Process of Policy Innovation Diffusion [J]. Public Administration Review, 2025, 18(05): 19–41+196–197.
[18]Lun Xiaobo, Liu Yan. Digital Government, Digital Economy, and Green Technological Innovation [J]. Journal of Shanxi University of Finance and Economics, 2022, 44(04): 1–13.
[19]Wang Ling, Zhang Pengpeng, Xiong Yan. A Study on the Impact of Digital Government Construction on Market Regulation Efficiency: Empirical Evidence from the Reform of Big Data Management Agencies [J]. Financial and Economic Forum, 2025, (11): 113-124.
[20]Guo Xiaoxu, Zhang Rong. A Study on the Impact of Digital Government on Green Innovation [J]. Forum on Statistics and Information, 2025, 40(11): 115-128.
[21]Meng Tianguang. Elements, Mechanisms, and Pathways of Government Digital Transformation: A Discussion on the Two-Way Drive of “Technology Empowerment” and “Technology Enablement” [J]. Governance Studies, 2021, 37(01): 5-14+2.
[22]Lun Xiaobo, Liu Yan. Digital Government and Corporate Digital Transformation: The Path to a Digital China [J]. Economic Management, 2024, 46(08): 5-25.
[23]Wang Hui, Li Xiangchen, Chen Xu. Digital Government Development and Corporate Financing Constraints [J]. Economic Research Journal, 2025, 60(04): 139-156.
[24]Cai Yunkun, Zhou Jingkui, Yuan Wangping. Data Element Sharing and Urban Entrepreneurial Vitality: Empirical Evidence from Public Data Open Access [J]. Research on Quantitative Economics and Technical Economics, 2024, 41(08): 5-25.
[25]Wang Keliang, Fu Lixiang. Public Data Open Access and Urban Green Development Efficiency: A Quasi-Natural Experiment Based on the Launch of Government Data Platforms [J]. Science and Technology Progress and Policy, 2025, 42(21): 106-118.
[26]Xiong L, Wang X, Liu Z, et al. Does Government Digital Transformation Drive High-Quality Urban Economic Development? Evidence from E-Government Platform Construction [J]. Systems, 2024, 12(9): 372-372.
[27]Li Wenjing, Zheng Manni. Substantive Innovation or Strategic Innovation?—The Impact of Macro-level Industrial Policy on Micro-level Firm Innovation [J]. Economic Research Journal, 2016, 51(04): 60-73.
[28]Ren Guangqian, Lai Huanfeng, Zhao Lefan. Environmental Regulation, Digital Transformation, and Green Technology Innovation: An Analysis of Data from Chinese Industrial Enterprises [J]. Journal of Beijing Institute of Technology (Social Sciences Edition), 2024, 26(03): 28–42.
[29]Chen Yao. The Impact of Environmental Regulation on Industrial Green Transformation [J]. Economic Issues, 2025, (04): 111-119.
[30]He Xiaoping, Chen Jiahui, Yu Yuxuan. Green Transition and Labor Reallocation: Microevidence from Supply Chain Enterprises [J]. Chinese Industrial Economics, 2025, (10): 117-135.
[31] Kuang Chang'e, Liu Jiangyue, Li Wenyi. Digital-Intelligence Convergence Empowerment and the Green Transition of Manufacturing Enterprises [J]. Contemporary Finance and Economics, 2024, (05): 114-127.
[32]Xu Jia, Cui Jingbo. Low-Carbon Cities and Green Technological Innovation in Enterprises [J]. Chinese Journal of Industrial Economics, 2020, (12): 178-196.
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