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Environmental regulation, academic top managers and green innovation: Evidence from China

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  • Zhang, Xiangguo
  • Zhao, Weiyi
  • Xie, Danxia

Abstract

This study examines the impact of top managers’ academic backgrounds on green innovation within the context of China’s new Environmental Protection Law. Utilizing green patent data from listed companies in the China A-Share market from 2008 to 2019, and employing the DID approach, we find the law significantly boosts green innovation in firms led by academically skilled managers. However, this effect diminishes in state-owned enterprises and financially constrained firms. Our findings emphasize the critical roles of managerial academic backgrounds and autonomy in advancing green innovation.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhang, Xiangguo & Zhao, Weiyi & Xie, Danxia, 2024. "Environmental regulation, academic top managers and green innovation: Evidence from China," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 69(PB).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finlet:v:69:y:2024:i:pb:s1544612324011589
    DOI: 10.1016/j.frl.2024.106129
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Academic top managers; Corporate finance; Green innovation; Environmental regulation;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G18 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Government Policy and Regulation
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill
    • K32 - Law and Economics - - Other Substantive Areas of Law - - - Energy, Environmental, Health, and Safety Law
    • O31 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Innovation and Invention: Processes and Incentives
    • Q56 - Agricultural and Natural Resource Economics; Environmental and Ecological Economics - - Environmental Economics - - - Environment and Development; Environment and Trade; Sustainability; Environmental Accounts and Accounting; Environmental Equity; Population Growth

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