Digital Transformation and Corporate Environmental Performance: An Empirical Analysis of Industry Heterogeneity Differences

Abstract

Against the dual backdrop of the digital economy and green development, digital transformation has emerged as a crucial pathway for enterprises to enhance their environmental performance. Based on the data of Chinese A-share listed companies from 2008 to 2021, the research empirically analyzes the effect of digital transformation on the environmental performance of enterprises and its industry differences. The research findings are as follows:(1) Digital transformation has a significantly positive impact on the environmental performance of enterprises, and this effect is achieved by promoting green technological innovation and optimizing the quality of internal control;(2)The heterogeneity analysis indicates digital transformation has a more remarkable effect on improving the environmental performance of low-pollution industries, non-high-tech enterprises, as well as non-manufacturing industries. However, due to the relatively high governance costs, the effects are relatively limited in high-pollution industries and the manufacturing industry. This research provides an important basis for the government to formulate targeted digital environmental protection policies and for enterprises to implement differentiated transformation strategies. It also has certain practical enlightenment significance for promoting the integration of digital economy as well as green development.