Research on the mechanism of digital transformation to improve enterprise environmental performance

Purpose Based on the background of enterprise digital transformation, this paper aims to examine the impact of digitization on the cooperative behavior and environmental performance of green technology innovation. Design/methodology/approach By constructing a model of quantity competition between the two enterprises, this paper examines the impact of digitization on the cooperative behavior and environmental performance of green technology innovation from the micro level. It uses Shanghai and Shenzhen A-share-listed companies as research samples. An unbalanced panel data set from 2011 to 2018 was constructed to empirically test the effect of digital transformation on the environmental performance of enterprises. Findings The findings reveal the following. First, digital transformation can significantly improve the environmental performance of enterprises. Second, green technological innovation sharing plays an intermediary role between digital transformation and enterprise environmental performance. Third, when the level of digitization is high, the sharing effect of green technology innovation brought about by digital technology is stronger and enterprises tend to carry out cooperative green technology innovation. Lastly, the level of development of regional science and technology finance plays a positive regulatory role in digital transformation and enterprise environmental performance. Originality/value This paper first proposes that green technology innovation-sharing is an important mechanism that can significantly improve enterprises' environmental performance. The authors empirically examine the mechanism and analyze the heterogeneity of the impact of digitalization level on enterprises' environmental performance. The authors also discuss the moderating effect of regional technology and finance development levels on the relationship between digitalization and enterprises' environmental performance.