How Can Digital Transformation Drive a Green Future?—Intermediary Mechanisms for Supply Chain Innovation: Evidence from Chinese A-Share Listed Companies

Lingling Tan (), Kangjie Li and Manli Liu
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Lingling Tan: School of Modern Post, Xi’an University of Posts & Telecommunications, Xi’an 710061, China
Kangjie Li: School of Modern Post, Xi’an University of Posts & Telecommunications, Xi’an 710061, China
Manli Liu: School of Modern Post, Xi’an University of Posts & Telecommunications, Xi’an 710061, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 18, 1-28

Abstract: Against the backdrop of stricter global carbon emission policies, corporate green transition performance has become a key driver for advancing sustainable development. Based on data from A-share listed companies in China from 2015 to 2022, this study empirically examines the mechanisms by which digital transformation impacts corporate green transformation performance. The findings reveal that (1) Digital transformation significantly promotes corporate green transformation, with supply chain innovation serving as a critical mediating factor; (2) The environmental awareness of senior executives and the strategic proactiveness of enterprises exert a significant moderating effect on this relationship. Enhanced environmental awareness among executives drives enterprises to leverage digital tools for green transformation; conversely, excessive strategic proactiveness exerts a constraining influenc; (3) Heterogeneity analysis indicates that firm-specific characteristics, industry attributes, and regional disparities produce differentiated effects. State-owned enterprises, benefiting from their policy support and resource advantages, are more likely to advance green innovation through enterprise digital transformation. Non-high-tech industries tend to optimize production processes, control pollution, and improve operational efficiency through digitalization. Moreover, in regions with stringent environmental regulations, the positive impact of digitalization on both innovation performance and environmental outcomes becomes particularly pronounced. This study enriches theoretical understanding of the integration between digitalization and greening, and by uncovering the pivotal role of supply chain innovation provides practical guidance and policy insights for enterprises advancing sustainable development.

Keywords: digital transformation; green transition performance; supply chain innovation; executives’ green cognition; corporate strategic aggressiveness (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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