Under the wave of digitalization, the new generation of information technology is pushing the traditional supply chain to evolve into a modern digital supply chain. However, there is no research to answer whether supply chain digitalization can promote the green development of enterprises and supply chains. With the help of the quasi-natural experimental environment constructed by the pilot work of supply chain innovation and application enterprises, based on the data of A-share listed companies from 2012 to 2020, this paper examines the impact of supply chain digitalization on enterprise green innovation through the DID model. It is found that supply chain digitalization improves the level of enterprise green innovation by 26.09%. This impact mainly exists in state-owned enterprises, both ends of industrial chain, and low market-oriented areas. The mechanism test shows that supply chain digitalization can promote the integration of green supply chain, strengthen the effectiveness of external governance, and then improve the level of enterprise green innovation. Further research shows that from the perspective of process, supply chain digitalization improves the output of green innovation and reduces the cost of green innovation, so the green innovation effect of supply chain digitalization is driven by efficiency rather than factors. From the perspective of results, supply chain digitalization promotes the long-term value of enterprises by promoting green innovation.
This paper has the following implications: First, take supply chain digitalization as the starting point to speed up green development. It is necessary to encourage the deep integration of supply chain and digital technology, make overall plans to gather green innovation resources of supply chain, improve the compatibility between digital supply chain and external subjects, and strengthen the sense of participation of external subjects. Second, consider the heterogeneity of the green innovation effect of digital supply chain in different enterprises, industries and regions when formulating relevant policies. Third, regard the supply chain as a unit to reduce pollution and carbon, and speed up the introduction of laws and regulations on green digital supply chain.
The main contributions of this paper are as follows: First, it enriches the research on the effect of supply chain digitalization. At present, the research on supply chain digitalization is mainly limited to the construction of theoretical models or the evaluation of transformation economic benefits. Second, from the two aspects of green supply chain integration and external governance, it reveals the influence mechanism of supply chain digitalization on enterprise green innovation, and deepens the understanding of the empowerment effect of supply chain digitalization. Third, it answers the question whether the green innovation effect of supply chain digitalization is driven by efficiency or factors. Fourth, it enriches the research on the influencing factors of green innovation.