Sustainable Strategies and Organizational Transitions for Green Economy

A special issue of Systems (ISSN 2079-8954). This special issue belongs to the section "Systems Practice in Social Science".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 August 2026 | Viewed by 14421

Special Issue Editors


E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Management, Università degli Studi di Bergamo, Via dei Caniana, 2, 24127 Bergamo, Italy
Interests: corporate finance; financial intermediaries; systemic risk; ESG; sustainability

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Economic Policy, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, 20123 Milan, Italy
Interests: corporate finance; corporate social responsibility; financial decision-making

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Sustainability has become a central concern for organizations navigating complex environmental, social, and economic challenges. In response to growing regulatory pressures, stakeholder expectations, and planetary boundaries, businesses are rethinking their strategies, operations, and value propositions. Achieving sustainability requires more than technical solutions—it involves transformative change in organizational culture, governance models, and stakeholder engagement practices.

This Special Issue seeks to explore how organizations integrate sustainability into their strategic and operational frameworks. We invite contributions that examine tools, processes, and practices for implementing sustainable innovation, measuring environmental and social impacts, and fostering circular economy principles. Interdisciplinary perspectives and real-world case studies are particularly encouraged.

Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Organizational transformation for sustainability;
  • Sustainable business models and innovation;
  • Circular economy and resource efficiency;
  • ESG (environmental, social, and governance) frameworks;
  • Stakeholder engagement and social responsibility;
  • Green technologies and operational practices;
  • Sustainability metrics and impact assessment.

We look forward to your contributions.

Dr. Pellegrini Laura
Dr. Andrea Roncella
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Systems is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • sustainability
  • organizational change
  • green economy
  • circular economy
  • ESG
  • green innovation
  • sustainable strategy
  • social responsibility
  • environmental impact
  • corporate governance
  • sustainable development

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (13 papers)

Order results
Result details
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

21 pages, 686 KB  
Article
Beyond Additivity: Digital–Green Synergy in Sustainable Development Policy Systems and Corporate ESG Performance
by Ziyao Yang and Liming Chen
Systems 2026, 14(5), 471; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems14050471 - 27 Apr 2026
Viewed by 388
Abstract
Against the backdrop of deepening coordinated policy governance, the systemic synergy between digitalization and green transformation policies and their impact on corporate ESG performance has become a key issue requiring urgent exploration. Unlike existing studies that focus on the effects of individual policies, [...] Read more.
Against the backdrop of deepening coordinated policy governance, the systemic synergy between digitalization and green transformation policies and their impact on corporate ESG performance has become a key issue requiring urgent exploration. Unlike existing studies that focus on the effects of individual policies, this paper adopts a policy system synergy framework to systematically investigate the impact of the coordinated implementation of big data administrative reform and low-carbon city pilot policies on corporate ESG performance. Using a sample of Chinese A-share listed companies from 2010 to 2022, this study applies a multi-period difference-in-differences (DID) method for empirical analysis. The findings show that the systemic synergy between digital and green policies significantly enhances corporate ESG performance, with this promoting effect substantially stronger than that of single pilot policies. Further causal re-identification using a double machine learning (DML) approach verifies the robustness of the baseline conclusion. Heterogeneity analysis indicates that the synergistic effect of digital and green policies is more pronounced in firms with higher levels of digital transformation, greater patient capital, and heavier tax burdens. Mechanism tests reveal that digital–green policy synergy improves ESG performance by enhancing external supervision from government, society, and the market, increasing green government subsidies, and incentivizing firms to engage in green innovation. At the same time, policy system synergy also reduces firms’ perceived uncertainty regarding economic policies and stabilizes their expectations, further enhancing ESG performance. This paper extends the research on the determinants of corporate ESG performance from the perspective of system synergy governance, providing new empirical evidence for understanding the interaction mechanisms between digital governance and green transformation policies. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

45 pages, 2031 KB  
Article
Green Transition Decisions of Manufacturing Enterprises: A Systemic–Synergistic Perspective on Decentralized Governance and Green Credit
by Yuyuan Song, Hengjun Huang and Xuewei Gan
Systems 2026, 14(3), 289; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems14030289 - 9 Mar 2026
Viewed by 371
Abstract
Global, industrialization-driven environmental bottlenecks push manufacturing enterprises toward green transitions; yet, the information asymmetry between central and local governments, and between enterprises and banks, hinders this process. Adopting a systemic–synergistic perspective integrating decentralized governance and green credit, in this study, we investigate the [...] Read more.
Global, industrialization-driven environmental bottlenecks push manufacturing enterprises toward green transitions; yet, the information asymmetry between central and local governments, and between enterprises and banks, hinders this process. Adopting a systemic–synergistic perspective integrating decentralized governance and green credit, in this study, we investigate the green transition decisions of manufacturing enterprises. We construct a quadrilateral evolutionary game model involving the central government, local governments, enterprises, and banks, employing MATLAB R2022b to simulate the effects of the key parameters. Subject to the model’s structural assumptions and parameter boundaries, three core findings emerge: first, we find that punitive environmental policies outperform incentive-based instruments in driving enterprise emission reduction; second, we find that the adaptive adjustments made by decentralized governance can effectively facilitate green practices among enterprises; third, within this framework, we find that green credit exerts a non-monotonic impact on enterprises’ green transition behaviors; meanwhile banks’ assessments of enterprises’ environmental risks can indirectly promote enterprise abatement by motivating local governments through signal transmission. This study underscores the systemic synergy of decentralized governance and green credit, offering insights for multistakeholder coordination and policy optimization to advance organizational sustainability transitions for the green economy. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

29 pages, 997 KB  
Article
Carbon Reduction Pledges and Renewable Energy Adoption in East Asia’s Early Corporate Energy Transition
by Eun-jung Hyun
Systems 2026, 14(3), 240; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems14030240 - 26 Feb 2026
Viewed by 345
Abstract
This paper examines the relationship between corporate carbon-reduction pledges and the subsequent adoption of renewable energy by pledging firms, and whether this relationship depends on the institutional conditions in which they operate. We propose a pressure-capacity model, highlighting two different institutional dimensions, (1) [...] Read more.
This paper examines the relationship between corporate carbon-reduction pledges and the subsequent adoption of renewable energy by pledging firms, and whether this relationship depends on the institutional conditions in which they operate. We propose a pressure-capacity model, highlighting two different institutional dimensions, (1) environmental policy stringency (institutional pressure) and (2) renewable energy infrastructure (institutional capacity), that may shape when firms’ symbolic pledges lead to observable change in their energy procurement behavior. We estimate random-effects logistic regression models with panel data on 552 publicly listed firms in South Korea, China, and Japan from 2002 to 2017. We find that the relationship between carbon-reduction pledges and renewable energy adoption is strengthened by both the stringency of environmental policy and the availability of renewable energy infrastructure. The marginal effects analysis indicates that the pledge effect is close to zero when institutional capacity is low. However, it increases to about 13 percentage points when policy stringency is high and 9 percentage points when renewable supply is high. The country-specific subsample analysis further uncovers that the conditional effect of institutional capacity is particularly pronounced among Japanese companies. The analysis of correlated random effects shows that these patterns remain robust even after controlling for between-firm confounding. Overall, our findings indicate that the extent to which voluntary corporate climate change commitments translate into actual green implementation depends on the regulatory and infrastructural environment in which firms operate. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

39 pages, 2135 KB  
Article
Environmental Performance Implications of Intelligent Computing Centre Development: An Empirical Investigation Based on Chinese Cases
by Keyue Chen, Ximu Wang, Zhengwei Ma, Anqi Zhang and Yiran Sun
Systems 2026, 14(2), 165; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems14020165 - 4 Feb 2026
Cited by 2 | Viewed by 499
Abstract
As a critical infrastructure carrier underpinning the cross-regional circulation of data elements within socioeconomic systems, intelligent computing centres (ICCs) confront a pivotal practical challenge amid the transition to a green economy: whether they can synergistically drive digital economy development while facilitating green growth. [...] Read more.
As a critical infrastructure carrier underpinning the cross-regional circulation of data elements within socioeconomic systems, intelligent computing centres (ICCs) confront a pivotal practical challenge amid the transition to a green economy: whether they can synergistically drive digital economy development while facilitating green growth. This question demands empirical verification from the perspective of social science systems practice. Drawing on panel data covering 292 Chinese cities at the prefecture level and above over the period 2010–2023, this study constructs a multidimensional difference-in-differences model with ICC construction as the core explanatory variable. Adopting a systemic analytical framework that integrates urban governance, industrial organization and regional coordination, it explores the impact of ICC deployment on urban environmental performance as well as the operational mechanisms embedded in socioeconomic practices. The findings demonstrate that ICC construction significantly enhances urban environmental performance. This conclusion remains robust after addressing endogeneity concerns and conducting multiple robustness tests. Heterogeneity analysis, grounded in social and regional contextual disparities, indicates that this positive effect is more pronounced in non-resource-based cities, cities with a strong focus on environmental governance and cities located in western China. Mechanism tests further clarify that such effects are achieved through two critical pathways of organizational and systemic transition, fostering green innovation and advancing industrial structure optimization. Moreover, by constructing a Spatial Durbin Model to analyse interregional systemic linkages, this study identifies a significant positive spatial spillover effect of ICC construction. This outcome reflects the cross-regional synergistic value of digital infrastructure within the national green economy system. From the perspective of social science systems practice, this study innovatively reveals the embedded role of digital infrastructure in the green economy system. It provides empirical support for optimizing the spatial layout of ICCs and offers targeted policy references for promoting the coordinated development of the digital economy and ecological environmental protection. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

23 pages, 1280 KB  
Article
System Analysis of Environmental Effects: A Case of Sustainable Development in the Russian Economy Based on Digital Engineering
by Farida F. Galimulina, Aleksei I. Shinkevich and Naira V. Barsegyan
Systems 2026, 14(2), 140; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems14020140 - 29 Jan 2026
Viewed by 452
Abstract
The conceptual foundation of this research is the idea of convergence between such development directions of modern production systems as digital design tools and sustainable development. The problem lies in searching for the most effective tools, sources of knowledge, and solutions that contribute [...] Read more.
The conceptual foundation of this research is the idea of convergence between such development directions of modern production systems as digital design tools and sustainable development. The problem lies in searching for the most effective tools, sources of knowledge, and solutions that contribute to improving ecological well-being, including through the adoption of nature-like technologies. The research aim is to substantiate the role of digital engineering in ensuring sustainable development and to identify priority directions for the development of production systems in the context of Russian realities. Research methods: systems analysis, formalization, comparison, statistical analysis, mathematical modeling were employed. Results: the influence of digital engineering on the sustainable development of production systems and the role of nature-like technologies are substantiated; the convergence of digitalization processes and the concept of sustainable development in the form of the «digital engineering–nature-like technologies» dyad is revealed; patterns of development of Russian production systems in the «design and engineering–environmental aspects of sustainable development» plane are identified; and alternative models for managing the technological development of production systems with a focus on ecological well-being are developed. Scientific novelty of the research: based on multidimensional nonlinear analysis, the importance of the convergence of digital engineering and nature-like technologies is proven, and priority directions for the development of production systems that contribute to achieving sustainable development goals under the policy of import substitution and technological leadership implemented in Russia are identified. The formulated theoretical and methodological provisions advance the field of knowledge in industrial economics and sustainable development and are applicable within the planning and programming of activities for production systems at various levels. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 1199 KB  
Article
Green Finance and High-Quality Economic Development: Spatial Correlation, Technology Spillover, and Pollution Haven
by Zunrong Zhou and Xiang Li
Systems 2026, 14(1), 72; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems14010072 - 9 Jan 2026
Viewed by 535
Abstract
This study examines how green finance influences high-quality economic development, with a particular focus on its spatial spillover mechanisms. Specifically, we investigate the competing roles of technology spillover and the pollution haven effect. Using provincial panel data from China (2010–2021) and applying a [...] Read more.
This study examines how green finance influences high-quality economic development, with a particular focus on its spatial spillover mechanisms. Specifically, we investigate the competing roles of technology spillover and the pollution haven effect. Using provincial panel data from China (2010–2021) and applying a Spatial Durbin Model (SDM), we deconstruct the total effect of green finance into three distinct components: the local technological progress effect, the positive technology spillover effect, and the negative pollution haven effect. While acknowledging limitations related to the macro-level data granularity and the indirect nature of the mechanism tests, our analysis yields three main findings. First, green finance development shows significant regional disparities. It has progressed most rapidly in the eastern region, remained relatively stable in the central region, and declined in the western region. Second, green finance exerts a strong positive direct effect on local high-quality economic development. This promoting effect becomes even stronger in more developed regions. Third, green finance generates significant negative spatial spillovers on neighboring regions. These are primarily driven by the pollution haven effect, which involves the cross-regional relocation of polluting industries. However, local technological progress partially mitigates these adverse externalities. Overall, our findings reveal the dual nature of the spatial externalities associated with green finance. They also highlight the urgency of coordinated regional environmental governance to prevent “green leakage” and to promote balanced, high-quality economic development. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

28 pages, 1272 KB  
Article
How Carbon Emissions Trading Improves Corporate Carbon Performance: Evidence from China with a Moderated Chain Mediation Analysis
by Jiali Feng, Wenxiu Hu, Li Liu and Jiaxing Duan
Systems 2026, 14(1), 62; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems14010062 - 8 Jan 2026
Viewed by 859
Abstract
Against the backdrop of global climate governance and China’s “dual carbon” goals, carbon emissions trading (CET) has become a core policy instrument for promoting low-carbon transformation. However, it remains unclear whether CET policies can effectively improve corporate carbon performance and, more importantly, through [...] Read more.
Against the backdrop of global climate governance and China’s “dual carbon” goals, carbon emissions trading (CET) has become a core policy instrument for promoting low-carbon transformation. However, it remains unclear whether CET policies can effectively improve corporate carbon performance and, more importantly, through which micro-level mechanisms such effects operate within firms. To address these gaps, this study applies a difference-in-differences (DID) approach to examine the impact of CET policy on corporate carbon performance and its transmission pathways. The results show that CET policy significantly enhances corporate carbon performance. Heterogeneity analysis further reveals that this positive effect is more pronounced in regions with lower environmental governance intensity, and that the policy’s effectiveness strengthens over time. Mechanism tests indicate that financing constraints and R&D investment serve as chain mediators: CET policy alleviates financing constraints, stimulates R&D investment, and thereby improves carbon performance. Moreover, the moderating effect analysis shows that executives’ green backgrounds reinforce the policy’s effectiveness by further easing financing constraints and mitigating their negative impact on R&D investment. Overall, these findings deepen the micro-level understanding of market-based environmental regulation and provide policy implications for optimizing CET policy design, improving resource allocation efficiency, and fostering low-carbon transformation and sustainable competitive advantages for enterprises. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

27 pages, 1371 KB  
Article
The Thermodynamic Cliff: Pricing the Climate Adaptation Gap in Digital Infrastructure
by Seyedarash Aghili and Mehmet Nurettin Uğural
Systems 2026, 14(1), 34; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems14010034 - 26 Dec 2025
Viewed by 919
Abstract
Conventional climate-risk frameworks, ranging from ESG ratings to Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs), systematically underestimate physical risks by overlooking the non-linear physics that govern infrastructure failure. These top-down models perceive climate change as a manageable operational expense, thereby obscuring the substantial capital requirements necessary [...] Read more.
Conventional climate-risk frameworks, ranging from ESG ratings to Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs), systematically underestimate physical risks by overlooking the non-linear physics that govern infrastructure failure. These top-down models perceive climate change as a manageable operational expense, thereby obscuring the substantial capital requirements necessary to sustain system reliability as global temperatures escalate. This study proposes a physics-first framework to quantify the “Adaptation Gap”—a measurable, unaccounted-for capital liability representing the additional cost needed to upgrade assets to maintain fault tolerance. Within this specific geographic and asset context, it has been determined that restoring fault tolerance for new equipment necessitates a 19.7% (95% CI: 16.5–22.9%) increase in capital expenditure, which increases the Adaptation Gap to 28.7% for typical in-service assets, potentially increasing the true cost for aging assets to between 25% and 30%. Although the quantitative findings are specific to the case study, the methodological framework—assessed as superior to traditional risk metrics—is designed for global application in pricing the Adaptation Gap across all infrastructure sectors with thermal constraints. Our methodology provides a blueprint for establishing a new standard of climate-adjusted valuation, transforming abstract physical risks into a tangible, auditable capital liability. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

22 pages, 1107 KB  
Article
ESG Practices and Green Innovation: The Mediating Role of Organizational Pride and the Moderating Effect of Innovation Climate
by Xiaoying Zhang, Yannan Li and Hyunsu Kim
Systems 2025, 13(11), 986; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems13110986 - 4 Nov 2025
Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1908
Abstract
With the growing emphasis on sustainable development, organizations and government agencies are increasingly incorporating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors into their strategic agendas. However, previous research has primarily examined ESG performance, stakeholder engagement, and financial outcomes in isolation, overlooking the systemic role [...] Read more.
With the growing emphasis on sustainable development, organizations and government agencies are increasingly incorporating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors into their strategic agendas. However, previous research has primarily examined ESG performance, stakeholder engagement, and financial outcomes in isolation, overlooking the systemic role of employee perceptions and psychological responses. To address this shortcoming, this study integrated social identity theory and social exchange theory to explain how ESG practices influence green innovation behavior through organizational pride. Furthermore, drawing on organizational climate theory, we explored the moderating role of innovation climate in this relationship. We used structural equation modeling (SEM) to analyze data from 346 employees across diverse Chinese companies, enabling us to capture the overall structure of the relationship rather than isolated causal relationships. Our results show that all three dimensions of ESG practices significantly enhance organizational pride, which in turn stimulates green innovation, highlighting the indirect, systemic relationship between ESG and innovation outcomes. Organizational climate is an important contextual variable influencing both individual behavior and organizational performance. When organizations have a favorable innovation climate, employees are more likely to translate their pride into concrete innovative behaviors. While the direct impact of ESG (S) and ESG (G) on green innovation has not been confirmed, the mediating role of organizational pride and the moderating role of innovation climate highlight the dynamic interplay between psychological and organizational subsystems. This study conceptualizes ESG practices, organizational pride, and innovation climate as interconnected subsystems within a broader organizational system, providing a systems-based perspective for sustainability research. It advances theoretical understanding of how sustainability initiatives spread through psychological and organizational mechanisms and offers practical insights for policymakers and decision makers seeking to promote long-term green innovation. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 1066 KB  
Article
Analysis of the Effects of CSR and Compliance Programs on Organizational Reputation
by Víctor Hugo Arredondo-Méndez, Yaromir Muñoz-Molina, Lorena Para-González and Carlos Mascaraque-Ramírez
Systems 2025, 13(10), 905; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems13100905 - 14 Oct 2025
Viewed by 2313
Abstract
The present study undertakes an analytical investigation into the relationships between Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Compliance Programs, Reputational Risk Management, and Corporate Image. A survey was conducted among 154 senior professionals in companies across diverse sectors and sizes, using the Partial Least Squares [...] Read more.
The present study undertakes an analytical investigation into the relationships between Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), Compliance Programs, Reputational Risk Management, and Corporate Image. A survey was conducted among 154 senior professionals in companies across diverse sectors and sizes, using the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) methodology with the aid of SmartPLS 4.0 software. The findings indicate that CSR exerts a substantial and immediate influence on both the management of reputational risk and the establishment of a robust corporate image. Furthermore, it has been observed that the adoption of Compliance Programs is driven by CSR, which also contributes, albeit to a lesser extent, to the strengthening of the external perception of the company. Conversely, proactive management of reputational risk has been demonstrated to enhance regulatory compliance and positively impact corporate image. The alignment of corporate social responsibility (CSR) with compliance initiatives has been demonstrated to engender sustainable competitive advantages within challenging regulatory contexts. In conclusion, the present paper puts forward the suggestion of conducting longitudinal studies in order to observe the evolution of the relationships under discussion over time. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 1389 KB  
Article
Catalyzing the Transition to a Green Economy: A Systemic Analysis of China’s Agricultural Socialized Services and Their Mechanization Pathways
by Xiuyan Su, Xueqi Wang, Yuefei Zhuo, Guan Li and Zhongguo Xu
Systems 2025, 13(9), 778; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems13090778 - 4 Sep 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1394
Abstract
The green transformation of agricultural systems is crucial for environmental protection and food security, yet smallholder-dominated systems face immense structural barriers. This study investigates whether agricultural socialized services (ASSs)—an emerging institutional innovation—can serve as a catalyst for this transition. Using household survey data [...] Read more.
The green transformation of agricultural systems is crucial for environmental protection and food security, yet smallholder-dominated systems face immense structural barriers. This study investigates whether agricultural socialized services (ASSs)—an emerging institutional innovation—can serve as a catalyst for this transition. Using household survey data from the China Land Economy Survey (CLES), this study examines the direct impact and mediating pathways of ASSs on farmers’ adoption of green production behaviors. We also reveal the heterogeneity effects of household operating scale. The results show the following: (1) Agricultural socialized services positively impact farmers’ adoption of green production behaviors, which can contribute to advancing sustainable agricultural development. (2) ASSs do not simply increase the quantity of machines. Instead, they facilitate a shift from costly asset ownership to efficient mechanization-as-a-service. (3) Furthermore, a heterogeneity analysis reveals that the positive impacts of ASSs are heterogenous at different levels. ASSs more significantly influence farmers’ adoption of green practices for small-scale farms (operating at a size less than 4.8 mu). It provides robust empirical evidence that ASSs can effectively “decouple” green modernization from large-scale farmers to overcome structural barriers. These findings help to provide policy implications for promoting ASSs and sustainable agriculture production. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

26 pages, 7032 KB  
Article
An Examination of the Evolution of Green Industry Structure and Sustainable Cooperation Strategies Between China and the Visegrád Group: A Product Space Approach
by Liping Qiu, Qianxue Chen, Xinzhe Zhu, Lihua Yang and Wenbo Gu
Systems 2025, 13(7), 508; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems13070508 - 24 Jun 2025
Viewed by 1276
Abstract
The Visegrád Group (V4), as China’s key economic and trade partner in Central and Eastern Europe, plays a pivotal role in enhancing the effectiveness of sustainable development within the China-Central and Eastern Europe cooperation (China-CEEC) framework through its comprehensive green initiatives. This study [...] Read more.
The Visegrád Group (V4), as China’s key economic and trade partner in Central and Eastern Europe, plays a pivotal role in enhancing the effectiveness of sustainable development within the China-Central and Eastern Europe cooperation (China-CEEC) framework through its comprehensive green initiatives. This study analyzes export data and environmental product classifications from major countries in the CEPII-BACI database, covering the period from 2003 to 2022, to construct a green product space network. The analysis reveals the evolutionary patterns of the green industry and the collaborative transformation mechanisms between China and the V4 countries. The findings indicate the following: (1) The green product space network displays a “core-periphery” structural framework, wherein China has expanded its core product offerings by leveraging technological advancements in the photovoltaic sector, while the V4 countries enhance their resource allocation by systematically phasing out peripheral products. (2) The Green Complexity Index (GCI) suggests that China’s green production capacity has significantly improved, thereby narrowing the technological gap with Poland and Slovakia. (3) According to the Green Competition Index, a strategic complementary space exists between the two parties in the domain of medium- to high-complexity products. This study recommends extending green cooperation to higher value chain segments by establishing a collaborative innovation network for green technologies, developing a dynamic capacity optimization mechanism, and deepening the joint research and development of core products. This article offers a decision-making framework based on production capacity endowments to facilitate multinational collaborative transformations in the green industry. Full article
Show Figures

Figure 1

28 pages, 371 KB  
Article
Political Connection Heterogeneity and Green Technological Innovation: Evidence from Chinese Listed Companies
by Siqi Meng, Xiaoyu Wu and Shuyang Wang
Systems 2025, 13(6), 443; https://doi.org/10.3390/systems13060443 - 6 Jun 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1644
Abstract
With the continuous development of today’s economy and the growing interest in green technological innovation, this study investigates the impact of executive political connection heterogeneity (EPCH) on corporate green technological innovation (CGTI) in Chinese listed companies. Specifically, it distinguishes between ascribed and achieved [...] Read more.
With the continuous development of today’s economy and the growing interest in green technological innovation, this study investigates the impact of executive political connection heterogeneity (EPCH) on corporate green technological innovation (CGTI) in Chinese listed companies. Specifically, it distinguishes between ascribed and achieved political connections, examining their influence on incremental and radical CGTI. This study employs a quantitative research design, utilizing a sample of Chinese A-share listed companies from 2007 to 2022. Data are sourced from the China Securities Market & Accounting Research (CSMAR) database and the China National Research Data Service (CNRDS) database. The study analysis applies fixed-effect regression models to test the relationships between political connection heterogeneity and innovation outcomes. The findings reveal that ascribed political connections promote incremental innovation, while achieved political connections drive radical innovation. Moreover, strong GEO weakens the effect of ascribed political ties on incremental CGTI while enhancing the effect of achieved political ties on radical CGTI. These results contribute to the understanding of how political ties influence corporate innovation strategies and provide insights into the role of dynamic capabilities in green technological advancements. Full article
Back to TopTop