How Urban Digital and Intelligent Transformation Affects Corporate Green Innovation: A Quasi-Natural Experiment from China

Abstract

As digital and intelligent technologies become increasingly intertwined. Digital and Intelligent Transformation (DIT) emerges as a key catalyst for advancing high-quality economic and social development. Against this backdrop, as the core entities in green and low-carbon transition, corporate green innovation (GI) capabilities have garnered increasing attention. To evaluate the effects of DIT on corporate GI, the study employs the establishment of the “National New Generation Artificial Intelligence Innovation and Development Pilot Zones” (NAIPZ) as a quasi-natural experimental. This paper analyzes the impact and transmission channels of DIT on GI, using panel data from Chinese A-share listed companies (2011–2022). Employing a multi-period DID approach, the results indicate that the policy promotes GI. Additionally, the findings are supported by extensive robustness checks. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that the policy impact is moderated by firm size, and industry characteristics. Mechanism analysis reveals that urban DIT promotes corporate GI by enhancing government governance capacity, accelerating corporate digital transformation, and optimizing human capital structures. Based on these findings, we recommend tailored policy frameworks, strengthened innovation infrastructure, increased R&D support, and effective performance-tracking mechanisms. These measures can help maximize the potential of artificial-intelligence technology in advancing corporate GI.