Liu Liqun, Liu Lin, Liu Kai, Jiménez-Zarco Ana Isabel
College of Economics and Management, Shihezi University, Shihezi, China.
Economic and Business Department, Open University of Catalunya, Barcelona, Spain.
Heliyon. 2024 Sep 27;10(19):e38595. doi: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e38595. eCollection 2024 Oct 15.
The industrial revolution based on the Internet of Things brings new opportunities and challenges for enterprises' green and sustainable development. Therefore, this study explores the relationship between the Industrial Internet of Things (IIOT) and the Green Transformation of Enterprises (GT) based on the data of China's A-share listed companies from 2009 to 2023 using two-way fixed, mediated effect, and moderated effect models. The results show that for every unit increase in IIOT, the GT increases by 28.89 percent on average, indicating that IIOT can break down information barriers and effectively promote GT. However, after disaggregating the GT, it was found that the IIOT guided companies to implement the Symbolic Green Transformation (SGT) instead of adopting the Realistic Green Transformation (RGT). This strategic choice preference is more pronounced among firms that are larger, in energy-intensive industries, in regions with weaker environmental regulations and higher levels of development. The intermediary mechanism test proved that the IIOT can drive firms to implement comprehensive GT through paths that enhance investment attractiveness, productivity, technological innovation, and pay gaps. In particular, the masking effect reminds us that smart technology is a "double-edged sword". The negative effects of smart technologies hinder the implementation of RGT. Further analysis reveals an inverted U-shaped relationship between IIOT and RGT preferences. In addition, in companies that focus on Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) performance and avoid financial speculation, the dark side of intelligent technology is suppressed. The findings of this study enrich the research scope of smart technology, GT, and provide important insights for enterprises in emerging economies to rationally utilize IIOT to seek green and sustainable development under the wave of rapid development of smart technology.
基于物联网的工业革命给企业的绿色可持续发展带来了新机遇与挑战。因此，本研究基于2009年至2023年中国A股上市公司的数据，运用双向固定效应、中介效应和调节效应模型，探究工业物联网（IIOT）与企业绿色转型（GT）之间的关系。结果表明，IIOT每增加一个单位，GT平均增长28.89%，这表明IIOT能够打破信息壁垒，有效促进GT。然而，在对GT进行分解后发现，IIOT引导企业实施的是象征性绿色转型（SGT），而非现实性绿色转型（RGT）。这种战略选择偏好在规模较大、处于能源密集型行业、环境监管较弱且发展水平较高地区的企业中更为明显。中介机制检验证明，IIOT能够通过增强投资吸引力、提高生产率、促进技术创新和缩小薪酬差距等路径，推动企业实施全面的GT。特别是，这种掩盖效应提醒我们，智能技术是一把“双刃剑”。智能技术的负面影响阻碍了RGT的实施。进一步分析发现，IIOT与RGT偏好之间存在倒U型关系。此外，在注重环境、社会和治理（ESG）绩效且避免金融投机的公司中，智能技术的负面影响受到抑制。本研究的结果丰富了智能技术、GT的研究范围，并为新兴经济体中的企业在智能技术快速发展浪潮下合理利用IIOT寻求绿色可持续发展提供了重要见解。
