Relaxation of Short-Selling Constraints and Innovation Investments of Energy Industry in China

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to determine the effect of short-selling restrictions on the corporate innovation investments of China's publicly traded energy businesses. According to external governance theory, it is predicted that the deregulation of short selling serves as a monitoring role for energy businesses' innovation investments, which are particularly vulnerable to energy efficiency issues. Between 2010 and 2018, a multiple linear regression is undertaken on a panel data set of Chinese 64-listed energy companies. According to descriptive data, the average innovation investment of Chinese energy businesses is 2.24%, indicating a low level of innovation in the energy sector. The regression findings demonstrate that easing short-selling limitations may benefit energy businesses' innovative activity. The outcomes of this study indicate that financial officials should explore further loosening short-selling restrictions, which might benefit sectors of the energy business that are highly dependent on technological innovation practices and performance.