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Enacting a low-carbon economy: Policies and distrust between government employees and enterprises in China

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  • Liu, Yong

Abstract

Within a low-carbon economy networks, governments and enterprises inevitably experience some level of distrust because of the complexity and uncertainty of policies. This study employs a questionnaire survey in China and finds a high level of distrust between government employees and enterprise managers when low carbon policies are enacted. However, the survey results also indicate a low frequency of communication on low carbon policy and that government employees and enterprise managers frame each other negatively. Furthermore, according to the result of a linear structural relations model, the frequency of communication and the ways in which government employees and enterprise managers frame each other are negatively correlated with the level of distrust. Therefore, an open policy process, co-working, and information sharing could all be effective ways to decrease the level of distrust. Moreover, specific low-carbon policies need to be established especially specific low-carbon standards for products, so as to reduce enterprises' distrust in low carbon policies.

Suggested Citation

  • Liu, Yong, 2019. "Enacting a low-carbon economy: Policies and distrust between government employees and enterprises in China," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 130(C), pages 130-138.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:130:y:2019:i:c:p:130-138
    DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2019.04.001
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    China; Environment network; Low carbon economy; Policy distrust;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • Q58 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Government Policy
    • L25 - Industrial Organization - - Firm Objectives, Organization, and Behavior - - - Firm Performance
    • Q55 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environmental Economics: Technological Innovation

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