Research on the mechanisms of the digital transformation of manufacturing enterprises for carbon emissions reduction

Abstract

With the rapid development of digital technologies, digital transformation has emerged as a crucial strategy to increase competitiveness and lower carbon emissions. To explore the impact and mechanisms of manufacturing enterprises' digital transformation on reducing their carbon emissions, this study uses data from A-share listed manufacturing enterprises on the Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges from 2010 to 2019. Employing fixed-effect and mediation models, the empirical analyses yield the following results: (1) Digital transformation positively influences carbon emissions reduction in manufacturing enterprises. (2) The fulfillment of corporate social responsibility and advancement in technological innovation mediate the relationship between digital transformation and carbon emissions reduction. (3) Both internal (redundant resources) and external (government support) factors affect the impact of digital transformation on carbon emissions. Reducing redundant resources and strengthening government support amplify the positive effect of digital transformation, while redundant resources negatively regulate the initial phase of the impact path of “digital transformation - technological innovation–carbon emissions intensity”. (4) Heterogeneity results reveal that digital transformation plays a more significant role in carbon emission reduction for heavy-polluting enterprises and China's central region. Hence, proactive digital transformation promotion is essential for enterprises aiming to achieve the “dual-carbon” goal, with optimization of internal resource integration and government-appropriate support.