Abstract:
Based on the panel data of listed companies in China from 2005 to 2020, this paper employs a multi-period double-difference model to analyze the effects of the pilot policy implementation of the ‘Broadband China’ strategy on enterprises' green technological innovation, the internal mechanism and the heterogeneity of the performance. The results show that the ‘Broadband China’ strategy can significantly improve the green technological innovation ability of Chinese enterprises, and the results are still robust after a series of robustness tests; cost saving, human capital enhancement, and the improvement of the degree of competition in the industry are the most important factors for the implementation of the ‘Broadband China’ strategy to promote the green technological innovation ability of enterprises. Cost saving, improvement of human capital and enhancement of industry competition are the three mechanisms through which the implementation of the ‘Broadband China’ strategy promotes the level of green technological innovation of enterprises; and the implementation of the pilot policy of the ‘Broadband China’ strategy has a more obvious effect on the green technological innovation of capital-intensive enterprises, enterprises in the eastern region and central cities. Finally, it provides important policy insights for promoting the development of the digital economy and the improvement of enterprises' green technological innovation level.