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Effects of technological innovation on eco-efficiency of industrial enterprises in China

Liang Wan (School of Management, University of Science and Technology of China, HeFei, P.R. China)
Biao Luo (School of Management, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, People’s Republic of China)
Tieshan Li (John Molson School of Business, Concordia University, Montreal, Canada)
Shanyong Wang (School of Management, University of Science and Technology of China, HeFei, P.R. China)
Liang Liang (School of Management, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China)

Nankai Business Review International

ISSN: 2040-8749

Publication date: 3 August 2015

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to investigate the relation between technological innovation modes and their impact on eco-efficiency of industrial enterprises in China.

Design/methodology/approach

This paper first constructs a model to evaluate and measure the eco-efficiency of industrial enterprises in China from 2006 to 2010. Second, this paper compares the role of technological innovation modes – specifically, domestic independent innovation, foreign technology import and domestic technology transfer – in improving eco-efficiency of industrial enterprises in the Eastern, Central and Western regions of China by logarithmic regression.

Findings

The study finds that domestic independent innovation has a positive significant influence in improving eco-efficiency of industrial enterprises in the Eastern region; domestic technology transfer has a positive significant role in the Central region; and foreign technology import and domestic technology transfer positively affect the Western region.

Originality/value

This paper is the first to identify the role of technological innovation modes in improving eco-efficiency. The findings can help enterprises in the three regions adopt the most effective technological innovation mode. In addition, the results provide valuable insights into policy development to improve China’s overall eco-efficiency and to balance economic and industrial development among the three regions.

Keywords

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant Nos 71272064, 71121061) and the Technological Fund of Anhui Province for Outstanding Youth (Grant No. 1308085JGD07). Thanks are also due to Dr Qiong Wang and Dr Chengyuan Wang for valuable discussion and assistance throughout the preparation of the original manuscript.

Citation

Wan, L., Luo, B., Li, T., Wang, S. and Liang, L. (2015), "Effects of technological innovation on eco-efficiency of industrial enterprises in China", Nankai Business Review International, Vol. 6 No. 3, pp. 226-239. https://doi.org/10.1108/NBRI-01-2015-0003

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Publisher

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Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited

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