Innovation Efficiency Research Articles

Analysis of the spatial association network structure of China’s green innovation efficiency

Improving the green innovation efficiency (GIE) is the main approach to high-quality development in China. Identifying the spatial distribution and influencing factors of GIE is conducive to sustainable and balanced regional development. In this research, the slack based measure-data envelopment analysis model (SBM-DEA) is used to measure the GIE of 30 provinces in China from 2013 to 2023. The gravity model and social network analysis methods are used to explore the spatial correlation of GIE in the provinces. The influencing factors of GIE are analyzed by the Tobit model. The results show that: (1) During the study period, the GIE of China’s provinces presented a high level, the spatial accumulation characteristics were obvious and the spatial correlation showed a complex network structure; (2) The association network is still in the primary stage, and the network strength and network association degree are low; (3) Provinces with strong innovation ability do not affect the green innovation of other provinces. In addition, these regions have obtained higher innovation linkage benefits from other provinces; (4) The amount of patent, education and government support have a significant positive impact on GIE, while total energy consumption and the secondary industry’s share of the gross domestic product have a significant negative impact on GIE. This study will reveal the characteristics of green innovation behavior of China from a new perspective, and provide a scientific basis for the formulation of green innovation behavior and related policies of China.

Study of the dynamics of the main indicators of the activity of transport enterprises in the conditions of the introduction of innovation

In the context of logistics integration, it is important to conduct analytical activities to study the effectiveness of marketing innovations in a timely manner. To form an idea of the effectiveness of marketing activities, it is necessary to study the influence of various factors on the performance indicator, in the case of logistics, this may be the volume of transported goods. The motive for writing the article was to study the capabilities of standard software for analyzing the effectiveness of economic processes in general, and in particular the results of innovative activities. The purpose of the article is to analyze the innovation, namely the integration of the logistics space in a certain region, for four companies in the Northern Black Sea region in order to assess the potential of these companies in the provision of transport services, taking into account the implemented innovation. The study used information provided by transport companies from 2013 to 2022. The choice of the focus of the study in the field of transport support is due to the importance of the quality of transport support for the functioning of the economy, especially in the context of cross-border movement of components and goods, raw materials and finished products. For the optimal study of the innovation efficiency, studies were conducted for two periods, namely from 2013 to 2019, and from 2013 to 2022. The analysis used the tools of mathematical analysis (function derivatives) for polynomial trend equations. It was found that for all four companies that participated in the implementation of the innovation, namely in the formation of an integrated logistics space with the creation of a common rolling stock base and the search for algorithms for the most optimal use of vehicles for cargo transportation, there is a positive dynamics of the total volume of cargo transportation, which indicates the effectiveness of the innovation. The introduction of innovations in logistics is the main condition for increasing the level of transport provision of the economy, which provides opportunities for a more systematic and comprehensive development of the economy. The integration of the logistics space on the example of four companies in the Black Sea region allowed not only to improve the quality of transport services, but also to increase the total profit of the group of companies, which indicates the effectiveness of marketing innovations. The results of the study can be used to replicate the innovation to other transport enterprises both within the region and for other regions. The proposed methodology for analyzing the effectiveness of innovations can be extended to other innovations in various sectors of the economy.

Dynamic simulation of policy-driven green technology innovation networks: Digital empowerment and collaborative efficiency

To delve into the intricate dynamics of green innovation, it is imperative to establish a policy-driven green innovation network and optimize its multi-entity collaborative mechanism. Given the dynamic complexity of a technological innovation network composed of multiple entities, this paper examines the interactions among four subsystems based on system dynamics (SD) simulation: resource input, innovation performance, policy-driven, and digital empowerment subsystem. Furthermore, we analyze the combined effects of policy-driven initiatives and the role of digital platforms in facilitating innovation efficiency based on empirical evidence. The results indicate that: (1) Government can effectively promote green development by enforcing stronger environmental regulations, such as increasing carbon trading price, while enhancing the emission reduction efficiency of innovative products. (2) Increased per capita R&D investment, along with financial, tax, fiscal incentives for innovation investment, will increase the rate of innovation achievements. (3) Government should strengthen talent policy during anticipated increases in talent numbers and reduce the intensity of introductions during expected declines. (4) By implementing incentive policies to develop S&T platforms, government can broaden innovation network cooperation, promotes resource aggregation, and leverages multi-entity cohort effects.

Does financialization inhibit enterprise innovation? Analysis of innovation behavior of Chinese enterprises based on evolutionary game

Enterprise innovation remains a cornerstone of economic development, with the direct influence of financialization on enterprise innovation standing as a critical factor. In contrast with the existing research, this study constructs an evolutionary game model by utilizing the Cournot model to analyze the innovation behavior of enterprises, and analyzes the influence of financialization on enterprise innovation by incorporating investment returns, market competition, and demand scale into the research framework. In addition, this study selects the sample of the Chinese non-financial listed enterprises and using panel data for the period 2009 to 2021. Based on the findings from the empirical analysis, this study reveals that excessive financialization hinders innovation in Chinese enterprises. Additionally, an intermediary pathway involving 'financialization - investment returns - enterprise innovation' is identified as a transmission mechanism. The demand scale generated by innovation inversely correlates with the inhibitory effects of financialization on enterprise innovation behavior. Meanwhile, heightened market competition amplifies the inhibitory influence of financialization on innovation. This study provided valuable empirical evidence, facilitating the enhancement of enterprise innovation efficiency.

The Evaluation, Dynamic Evolutionary Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Green Innovation Efficiency in China

The Evaluation, Dynamic Evolutionary Characteristics and Influencing Factors of Green Innovation Efficiency in China

A Hybrid Data Envelopment Analysis–Random Forest Methodology for Evaluating Green Innovation Efficiency in an Asymmetric Environment

The accurate evaluation of green innovation efficiency is a critical prerequisite for enterprises to achieve sustainable development goals and improve environmental performance and economic efficiency. This paper evaluates the green innovation efficiency of 72 new-energy enterprises by using a hybrid method of Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and a random forest model. The non-parametric DEA model is combined with the parametric SFA model to analyze the real green innovation efficiency on the basis of removing environmental factors and random factors. Then, the random forest model based on a nonlinear relationship is used to evaluate factors impacting green innovation efficiency. This paper proposes a comprehensive evaluation method designed to assess the green innovation efficiency of new-energy enterprises. By applying this method, companies can gain a comprehensive understanding of the current performance in green innovation, facilitating informed decision-making and accelerating sustainable development.

Evaluation of Innovation Efficiency of Listed Baijiu Enterprises Based on Three-stage DEA Model

Evaluation of Innovation Efficiency of Listed Baijiu Enterprises Based on Three-stage DEA Model

China's Digital Economy: Examining Its Impact on Inequality Through the Lens of Employment, Income Disparity, Innovation, and Competition

This paper examines the impact of Chinas digital economy on inequality, focusing on employment, income inequality, innovation, and competition. Overall, the digital economy creates inequality in individuals and firms. It exacerbates the income disparity between high-skilled and low-skilled workers, and/or across different regions. It also creates an oligopolistic structure in the digital markets and new industries, where big firms use network effects and incumbency advantage to reduce competition. Therefore, challenges arise for antitrust enforcement due to the dynamic nature of the digital economy and attention platforms. Nevertheless, the digital economy optimizes employment structure, having a net effect of greater creation effect than substitution effect. It also increases innovation efficiency and opportunities for smaller players in the traditional sectors. Therefore, the digital economy has positive implications for economic growth. Overall, it is crucial to encourage equality and stimulate economic growth by implementing certain policies, including measures to enhance labor quality, reduce regional disparities, and strengthen antitrust regulations.

Employee satisfaction and digital transformation: Evidence from China’s Top 100 Best Employers list

Using a sample of Shanghai and Shenzhen A-share listed enterprises from 2011 to 2020, this study measures listed enterprises’ employee satisfaction according to whether they were included in China’s Top 100 Best Employers (Top 100) list to investigate the impact of employee satisfaction on enterprises’ digital transformation. The study determines that enterprises on the Top 100 list with high employee satisfaction are correlated with driving digital transformation. This conclusion remains valid after considering endogeneity and conducting various robustness tests, supporting the stakeholder theory hypothesis. Mechanism tests demonstrate that employee satisfaction promotes enterprise digital transformation through three mechanism channels of human capital agglomeration, technological innovation, and mitigation of managerial myopia. The heterogeneity analysis reveals that employee satisfaction promotes enterprises’ digital transformation more significantly in non-state-owned enterprises, enterprises with high industry concentration, and those with high research and development intensity. Furthermore, enterprises with higher employee satisfaction exhibit better financial status, which improves innovation efficiency, increases income, and promotes scale expansion.

Spatial differentiation and driving factors of scientific and technological innovation efficiency under the background of the digital economy

Scientific and technological innovation (STI) activities are facilitated under the influence of the digital economy and depend on digital elements to support innovation activities. This study measures digital element inputs and outputs using data related to the digital economy and estimates STI efficiency in 29 provincial regions in mainland China from 2010 to 2021 employing the global super-efficiency slacks-based measure (SBM) model. Then, spatial characteristics and driving forces of STI efficiency are quantified using spatial autocorrelation and geographic detectors. The results reveal that STI efficiency exhibits a fluctuating, W-shaped pattern, and the spatial correlation effect shows a gradually declining trend from 2010 to 2021. The findings reveal that the core drivers of STI efficiency are digital financial development, e-commerce development, digital access level, and related factors. Therefore, strengthening inter-regional innovation links, promoting the construction of 5 G mobile internet and accelerating the integration of digital industries into traditional industries are recommended.

Research on the Mechanism of Collaborative Innovation in Green Technology among Supply Chain Enterprises Based on Cost Sharing and Market Competition

Supply chain green technology collaborative innovation is an important means for enterprises to improve the greenness of their products. This paper takes supply chain green technology innovation collaboration as the research object and constructs a stochastic differential game model, which not only provides reference for enterprises to choose the optimal type of technology innovation by combining with their own characteristics, but also provides a reference for their innovation decision-making in different market competition environments. The study shows the following: (1) in green product innovation, the formation of the cost-sharing contract is less affected by the intensity of competition in the green market when the market preference for greenness is relatively low. Therefore, government subsidies become an important tool to effectively guide the market mechanism to achieve the desired goal. As market competition intensifies, manufacturers’ incentives to suppliers will shift from reducing costs to increasing demand. (2) In green process innovation, when the intensity of green competition is low and suppliers’ process innovation efficiency is high, manufacturers should bear more costs; when the market preference for greenness is low, the market competition is intense, and the suppliers’ process innovation efficiency is low, the suppliers should bear more costs to help the manufacturers gain more market shares. (3) When retailers’ preference for greenness is relatively low, the government subsidy becomes an important tool to effectively guide the market mechanism to achieve the desired goal. (4) When the retailer’s green promotion performance is higher than the manufacturer’s, the manufacturer should bear more green promotion costs; conversely, the retailer should bear more green promotion costs. (5) Over time, the marginal increase in price over the marginal increase in greenness helps stabilise price volatility, considering consumer preferences. Conversely, it helps to increase the average value of prices.

The Spatial Impact of Innovation Efficiency on Green Development

The Spatial Impact of Innovation Efficiency on Green Development

Study on the Evaluation of Technological Innovation Efficiency of Industrial Enterprises in Central and Western China: Based on DEA approach

Based on the importance of industrial innovation efficiency, this paper conducts dynamic and static analyses of the technological innovation efficiency of industrial enterprises in the central and western areas of China from years 2010 to 2021 using the DEA-BCC model and Malmquist index based on relevant data. The results indicate that the efficiency of technological innovation in China has steadily increased, with the innovation efficiency in the central and western areas stabilizing at a relatively high level. Additionally, the study identifies that the prosperity of local industries significantly influences industrial scientific and technological innovation efficiency. Consequently, the article provides more specific recommendations for formulating industrial policies that impact industrial prosperity.

The Impact of Corporate ESG Performance on Green Innovation Efficiency —— Evidence from China

The Impact of Corporate ESG Performance on Green Innovation Efficiency —— Evidence from China

Digital Economy Empowers Green Innovation Efficiency - An Empirical Study at the Provincial Level

Digital Economy Empowers Green Innovation Efficiency - An Empirical Study at the Provincial Level

The impact of executives' green experience on environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance: Evidence from China

Corporate Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) performance reflects the alignment of firms with national strategies and macroeconomic development principles, and serves as a crucial foundation for achieving sustainable development. Investigating the factors driving corporate ESG performance has significant theoretical and practical implications. This study utilizes data from Shanghai and Shenzhen A-share listed companies in China from 2010 to 2022 and theoretically analyzes and empirically tests the effects and mechanisms of executives' green experience on overall ESG performance and performance on each element of ESG. The results indicate that executives' green experience enhances the efficiency of corporate green patent innovation, thereby improving environmental performance. In addition, green experiences foster environmental investment and charitable donations, leading to better social performance. Executives with green experience also attract green investors and analysts' attention, thereby improving corporate governance and ultimately positively affecting overall corporate ESG performance. The robustness of these findings is confirmed through alternative variable measurements, Propensity Score Matching(PSM) Tests, Entropy Balancing Tests, Instrumental Variable Tests, and controlling for the impact of significant public health events. Further analysis revealed that the positive effects of executives' green experiences on corporate ESG performance are more pronounced in non-heavily polluting corporations, non-state-owned corporations, and firms where executives have higher power. This study enriches research on the consequences of executives' green experiences and the determinants of corporate ESG performance, extending the boundaries of how executive characteristics influence micro-level corporate outcomes. It also provides valuable references for regulatory bodies promoting ESG practices and decision-making by capital market participants.

Spatial network structure and formation mechanism of China’s marine science and technology innovation efficiency from the perspective of innovation value chain

Spatial network structure and formation mechanism of China’s marine science and technology innovation efficiency from the perspective of innovation value chain

THE IMPACTS OF INNOVATION EFFICIENCY AND GOVERNMENT SUBSIDY ON EXTERNAL FINANCING: EVIDENCE FROM CHINA

Subsidies from the government and financial resources from external investors play critical roles in supporting firm innovations. We develop a model to empirically investigate the role of firm innovation efficiency in government subsidy allocations and the joint effect of innovation efficiency and government subsidies on external investor decision-making in China. We collect panel data from 337 firms in China over ten years (2011–2021). The results show an inverted U-shaped relationship between innovation efficiency and government subsidies. Both government subsidies and innovation efficiency are positively associated with external financing. Government subsidies positively moderate the impact of innovation efficiency on external financing. The findings provide empirical evidence of the complex relationships among firm innovation efficiency, government subsidies and external financing. In this study, insights are provided into how Chinese government officials and external investors interpret signals of firm innovation. The findings of this study can also be used by managers to attract financial resources and by investors to make investment decisions.

Examining the Impact of Urban Connectivity on Urban Innovation Efficiency: An Empirical Study of Yangtze River Delta in China

Innovation serves as a vital catalyst for sustainable urban development, with the enhancement of urban innovation efficiency representing a critical strategy to bolster cities’ innovative capacity. Rigorous scientific measurement of urban innovation efficiency and thorough investigation into the key factors influencing it are imperative for advancing urban innovation capacity. Despite this significance, prior research has largely overlooked the impact of urban connections on urban innovation efficiency. Therefore, this paper undertakes the task of measuring the innovation efficiency of 27 cities within China’s Yangtze River Delta (YRD) region using an improved DEA model, while also examining the associated influencing factors. The primary findings are as follows: (1) The comprehensive efficiency of the 27 cities in the YRD remains relatively low, with pure technical efficiency representing a notable constraint, while scale efficiency demonstrates higher overall performance. (2) The cities can be classified into four distinct categories: innovation-leading, innovation-optimizing, innovation-breaking, and innovation-improving cities. (3) The urban innovation efficiency within the YRD exhibits negative spatial spillover effects. (4) And notably, local economic and social characteristics such as human capital and degree of openness play a positive role in enhancing innovation efficiency in YRD cities. Conversely, factors such as economic foundation and government involvement exhibit negative contributions to innovation efficiency enhancement in YRD cities. Additionally, population mobility between cities is identified as a significant contributor to urban innovation efficiency. This study sheds light on the complex dynamics shaping urban innovation efficiency and underscores the importance of leveraging urban connections to bolster innovation capacity in the YRD and beyond.

The impact of digital finance on technological innovation across enterprise life cycles in China

This study aims to fill a gap in our knowledge by analyzing how digital financing has affected technological innovation in China's firms across different growth phases. This article investigates the relationship between technological innovation efficiency and digital finance in China's A-share listed corporations between 2012 and 2022 using basic logistic modelling. Its main goal is to comprehend how digital finance affects these businesses' technological innovation efficiency from various angles. The study concludes that digital finance significantly improves the efficiency of technological innovation; more importantly, the Digital Finance Adoption Rate (DFAR) has a more significant influence than the Digital Finance Level (DFL). According to the Digital Transformation Maturity (DTM) scale, digital finance helps businesses transform digitally, increasing the effectiveness of technological innovation. State-owned businesses are more affected by the influence of digital finance on innovation efficiency than non-state-owned businesses. Other factors, including enterprise lifecycle, innovation investment, digital leadership, revenue strategies, and market rivalry, also shape the relationship between digital finance and technical innovation efficiency. To increase innovation efficiency, particularly in state-owned businesses, the study suggests expanding access to and adoption of digital finance. It also means leveraging elements such as enterprise lifecycle, innovation investment, digital leadership, revenue strategies, and market competition to spur more technological innovation. The impact of digital finance on technological innovation at different phases of organizational growth in China highlights the need for customized methods to harness its potential.