Research on the impact of environmental regulation on corporate green innovation

Abstract

This study employs Chinese A-share listed companies from 2015 to 2019 as a sample to explore the impact of environmental regulation on corporate green innovation and its mechanism of action. The findings revealed that environmental regulation has a significant positive promoting effect on corporate green innovation, especially in terms of green patent acquisition. Corporate R&D investment serves as an important mediating mechanism for environmental regulation to affect green innovation, while corporate environmental management practices do not show a significant mediating effect. There is significant heterogeneity in the impact of environmental regulation on corporate green innovation: non-state-owned enterprises, non-heavy polluting enterprises, large enterprises, and enterprises in the central region show stronger green innovation responses. Multiple robustness tests verify the reliability of the research results. This study not only deepens the understanding of the relationship between environmental regulation and corporate green innovation, but also provides important empirical evidence for the formulation of more targeted environmental policies and innovation incentives