School of International and Public Affairs, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, China.
School of International and Public Affairs, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, China; School of Emergency Management, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, 200030, China.
J Environ Manage. 2024 Apr;357:120806. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120806. Epub 2024 Apr 6.
Corporate energy transition is crucial for long-term sustainable development. The widely discussed Artificial Intelligence (AI), as a disruptive technological innovation, is highly potential for enhancing environment performance. However, the specific impact of AI on the process of corporate energy transition and its underlying mechanisms have not been fully explored. This study focuses on A-share listed corporates in Shanghai and Shenzhen stock markets in China spanning from 2011 to 2021. Based on corporate annual report information and information from over 200,000 patent application texts, we innovatively construct indicators for corporate energy transition and AI technology application. Furthermore, we empirically investigate the impact of AI technology on corporate energy transition and its potential mechanisms through combining information asymmetry theory and institutional theory. The empirical results indicate that: 1) AI can drive corporate energy transition and the promoting effect of AI collaborative innovation on corporate energy transition should not be ignored. 2) AI can help corporates achieve energy transition through pathways such as mitigating information asymmetry, reducing financing constraints, adjusting sustainable development concepts and practices. 3) The driving effect of AI on corporate energy transition varies depending on the characteristics of different types of corporates, industries, and regions. This study provides strategic guidance and decision support for business managers and policymakers, assisting both corporates and governments in better utilizing AI technology during the social energy transition process to achieve a dual optimization of environmental and economic goals.
企业能源转型对于长期可持续发展至关重要。广受讨论的人工智能（AI）作为一种颠覆性的技术创新，对于提高环境绩效具有巨大潜力。然而，AI 对企业能源转型过程的具体影响及其潜在机制尚未得到充分探索。
本研究聚焦于中国上海和深圳证券市场的 A 股上市公司，时间跨度为 2011 年至 2021 年。基于企业年度报告信息和 20 多万份专利申请文本的信息，我们创新性地构建了企业能源转型和 AI 技术应用的指标。此外，我们通过结合信息不对称理论和制度理论，实证研究了 AI 技术对企业能源转型的影响及其潜在机制。实证结果表明：1）AI 可以推动企业能源转型，并且 AI 协同创新对企业能源转型的推动作用不容忽视。2）AI 可以通过缓解信息不对称、降低融资约束、调整可持续发展理念和实践等途径帮助企业实现能源转型。3）AI 对企业能源转型的驱动作用因企业类型、行业和地区的特点而异。
本研究为企业管理者和政策制定者提供了战略指导和决策支持，帮助企业和政府在社会能源转型过程中更好地利用 AI 技术，实现环境和经济目标的双重优化。
