Search Results (29)

Enhancing the supply chain resilience of the information and communications manufacturing industry is closely related to the competitiveness of enterprises and the security of the national economy, and has attracted widespread attention from all sectors of society. This study develops a multidimensional synergistic resilience framework based on the Technology-Organization-Environment theory. Using panel data from 29 Chinese provinces over the 2011–2022 period, it empirically examines the impact of artificial intelligence technology on supply chain resilience in the information and communication technology manufacturing industry and investigates its underlying mechanisms. Research findings: Artificial intelligence significantly enhances supply chain resilience, and this conclusion holds after a series of endogeneity and robustness tests. Mechanism analysis reveals that artificial intelligence promotes the low-carbon transition by optimizing energy intensity and synergistically enhances resilience effects through technological innovation. Heterogeneity analysis shows that the impact of artificial intelligence on supply chain resilience is stronger in eastern China, significantly outperforming western China, but its effect in central China is not significant. Supply chain disruptions weaken the positive effects generated by artificial intelligence when they occur. The research provides a theoretical foundation and practical basis for improving the resilience of information and communications manufacturing supply chain networks, thereby contributing to the development of intelligent, resilient and sustainable supply chain networks. Full article

As the world’s largest anthropogenic emitter of black carbon (BC), China exhibits substantial regional disparities in emissions. This study integrates provincial data into an endogenized multi-regional input–output (MRIO) framework and applies structural path analysis (SPA) to trace embodied BC emissions across 30 Chinese regions throughout the full economic cycle. The results indicate that Southern China is the region with the highest emissions (191.85 Kt), while the northwest region, despite having the lowest absolute emissions, exhibits the highest emission intensity (9.59 kg per 10⁵ CNY). Only 8.94% and 15.66% of the BC emissions linked to Shanghai and Beijing were produced locally, compared to 79.23% for Shandong and 79.21% for Hebei. Most BC emissions in the supply chain originate from direct emissions by the residential sector, followed by indirect emissions from carbon-intensive industries such as construction. This pattern reflects a mechanism whereby final demand in developed provinces stimulates economic output in less developed provinces, thereby driving BC emissions there. These findings highlight the need for differentiated regional mitigation strategies—such as residential clean energy transitions in underdeveloped regions and sustainable supply chain management in developed ones—to advance national sustainability goals. Full article

Driven by the global energy transition and the pursuit of dual carbon goals (carbon peaking and carbon neutrality), the innovation network of the new energy vehicle (NEV) industry, composed of enterprises, universities, and research institutes, has become a key driver of sustainable industrial development. The evolution of this network is jointly shaped by both supply chain networks (SCNs) and executive networks (ENs), representing formal and informal relational structures, respectively. To systematically explore these dynamics, this study analyzes panel data from Chinese A-share-listed NEV firms covering the period 2003–2024. Employing social network analysis (SNA) and Quadratic Assignment Procedure (QAP) regression, we investigate how SCNs and ENs influence the formation and structural evolution of innovation networks. The results reveal that although all three networks exhibit sparse connectivity, they differ substantially in their structural characteristics. Moreover, both SCNs and ENs have statistically significant positive effects on innovation network development. Building on these findings, we propose an integrative policy framework to strategically enhance the innovation ecosystem of China’s NEV industry. This study not only provides practical guidance for fostering collaborative innovation but also offers theoretical insights by integrating formal and informal network perspectives, thereby advancing the understanding of multi-network interactions in complex industrial systems. Full article

In light of the persistent environmental degradation driven by fossil fuels, developing new energy sources is essential for achieving sustainability. The recent surge in electric vehicle adoption has underscored the significance of new energy batteries. However, the supply chains of new energy battery manufacturers face multiple sustainability risks, which impede sustainable practice adoption. To tackle these challenges, leanness philosophy is an effective tool, and Industry 5.0 enhances its efficacy significantly, further mitigating sustainability risks. This study integrates the supply chain, leanness philosophy, and Industry 5.0 by applying quality function deployment. A novel four-phase hybrid MCDM model integrating the fuzzy Delphi method, DEMATEL, AHP, and fuzzy VIKOR, identified five key sustainability risks five core leanness principles, and eight critical Industry 5.0 enablers. By examining a Chinese new energy battery manufacturer as a case study, the findings aim to assist managers and decision-makers in mitigating sustainability risks within their supply chains. Full article

As inevitable outcomes of the digital economy’s low-carbon development, green data centers play a crucial role in environmental impact and underlying mechanisms. This study focuses on green data center establishment as a representative practice, utilizing Chinese A-share listed companies and urban data from 2009 to 2023 to construct a multi-period difference-in-differences model. From a supply chain perspective, we investigate the impact of green data centers on corporate carbon emissions and their mechanisms. The results demonstrate that regional establishment of green data centers significantly promotes corporate carbon emission reduction, with conclusions remaining robust after a series of comprehensive robustness and endogeneity tests. This process primarily operates through two channels: green total factor energy efficiency and green attention. Green data center establishment significantly enhances green total factor energy efficiency and corporate green attention. The more developed the regional digital infrastructure and the higher the computing power development levels, the stronger the incentive effect on corporate carbon reduction. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that green data centers have more significant promoting effects on carbon emission reduction in state-owned enterprises and high-tech enterprises. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of the effects, mechanisms, and regional variations related to green data centers in facilitating corporate carbon emission reduction. Full article

This paper investigates the spillover effects and transmission networks of systemic risk within China’s national economic sectors under extreme conditions from both time and frequency domain perspectives, building upon the spillover index methodology and calculating the ∆CoVaR index for Chinese industries. The findings indicate the following: (1) Extreme-risk spillovers synchronize across industries but exhibit pronounced time-varying peaks during the 2008 Global Financial Crisis, the 2015 crash, and the COVID-19 pandemic. (2) Long-term spillovers dominate overall connectedness, highlighting the lasting impact of fundamentals and structural linkages. (3) In terms of risk volatility, Energy, Materials, Consumer Discretionary, and Financials are most sensitive to systemic market shocks. (4) On the risk spillover effect, Consumer Discretionary, Industrials, Healthcare, and Information Technology consistently act as net transmitters of extreme risk, while Energy, Materials, Consumer Staples, Financials, Telecom Services, Utilities, and Real Estate primarily serve as net receivers. Based on these findings, the paper suggests deepening the regulatory mechanisms for systemic risk, strengthening the synergistic effect of systemic risk measurement and early warning indicators, and coordinating risk monitoring, early warning, and risk prevention and mitigation. It further emphasizes the importance of avoiding fragmented regulation by establishing a joint risk prevention mechanism across sectors and departments, strengthening the supervision of inter-industry capital flows. Finally, it highlights the need to closely monitor the formation mechanisms and transmission paths of new financial risks under the influence of the pandemic to prevent the accumulation and eruption of risks in the post-pandemic era. Authorities must conduct annual “Industry Transmission Reviews” to map emerging risk nodes and supply-chain vulnerabilities, refine policy tools, and stabilize market expectations so as to forestall the build-up and sudden release of new systemic shocks. Full article

Driven by the global energy transition and the pursuit of “dual carbon” goals, sustainability risks within the coal supply chain have emerged as a central obstacle impeding the low-carbon transformation of high-carbon industries. To address the critical gap in systematic and multidimensional risk assessments for coal supply chains, this study proposes a hybrid framework that integrates the analytic hierarchy process (AHP) with the fuzzy comprehensive evaluation (FCE) method. Utilizing the Delphi method and the coefficient of variation technique, this study develops a risk assessment system encompassing eight primary criteria and forty sub-criteria. These indicators cover economic, operational safety, ecological and environmental, management policy, demand, sustainable supply, information technology, and social risks. An empirical analysis is conducted, using a prominent Chinese coal enterprise as a case study. The findings demonstrate that the overall risk level of the enterprise is “moderate”, with demand risk, information technology risk, and social risk ranking as the top three concerns. This underscores the substantial impact of accelerated energy substitution, digital system vulnerabilities, and stakeholder conflicts on supply chain resilience. Further analysis elucidates the transmission mechanisms of critical risk nodes, including financing constraints, equipment modernization delays, and deficiencies in end-of-pipe governance. Targeted strategies are proposed, such as constructing a diversified financing matrix, developing a blockchain-based data-sharing platform, and establishing a community co-governance mechanism. These measures offer scientific decision-making support for the coal industry’s efforts to balance “ensuring supply” with “reducing carbon emissions”, and provide a replicable risk assessment paradigm for the sustainable transformation of global high-carbon supply chains. Full article

The ecological transformation of industrial enterprises is crucial for promoting sustainable development, improving energy efficiency, and boosting environmental quality. This study provides empirical insights into the relationship between digital commerce and the ecological transformation of manufacturing firms, using panel data from Chinese A-share-listed manufacturing businesses from 2011 to 2021. The findings demonstrate that digital commerce significantly accelerates the environmental transition of manufacturing firms, particularly within established organizations, competitive sectors, and non-renewable energy industries. Mechanism analysis reveals that advancements in digital commerce improve the breadth, quality, and sustainability of green technology innovation. Examining threshold effects identifies a distinct threshold in the cumulative impact of green technological improvements, beyond which digital commerce facilitates the ecological transition of industrial firms. Manufacturing enterprises need to optimize the use of digital tools and provide more efficient solutions around resource allocation, so as to gain an advantageous position in the green supply chain. Full article

Given the global imperative for energy transition, vertical mergers and acquisitions (M&As) have become a strategic lever for renewable energy enterprises to enhance supply chain resilience. This study examines the performance of Chinese A-share listed renewable energy enterprises from 2011 to 2023. By constructing an evaluation index system for supply chain resilience, the study employs a multi-period difference-in-differences (DID) model to examine the impact of vertical M&As on supply chain resilience and the mediating effect of supplier concentration. The results demonstrate that the supply chain resilience of vertically merged renewable energy enterprises is generally stronger than that of non-M&A counterparts, with a significant upward trend observed in M&A enterprises during the study period. However, renewable energy enterprises demonstrate lower supply chain resilience compared to manufacturing firms. Vertical M&As in renewable energy enterprises enhance supply chain resilience, a conclusion that remains valid after a series of robustness tests. Vertical M&As mitigate supplier concentration and further enhance supply chain resilience in renewable energy enterprises. Heterogeneity analyses reveal that vertical M&A has a more pronounced effect on supply chain resilience in renewable energy enterprises that have low financing constraints and high growth potential. In the solar power, lithium and hydrogen energy industries, vertical M&As had a greater promoting effect on supply chain resilience. This study provides empirical evidence and decision-making guidelines for renewable energy enterprises to adopt vertical M&A strategies for enhancing supply chain resilience. Full article

In recent years, the rapid advancement of digital technologies and the growing demand for sustainability have driven unprecedented transformations in the automotive industry, particularly toward electric vehicles (EVs) and renewable energy. The EV supply chain, a complex global network, has become increasingly vulnerable to globalization and frequent “black swan” events. The purpose of this study, grounded in organizational information processing theory, aims to systematically examine the role of digital capability in strengthening supply chain resilience (SCR) through improved risk management effectiveness. Specifically, it explores the multidimensional nature of digital capability, clarifies its distinct impact on SCR, and addresses existing research gaps in this domain. To achieve this, this study develops a theoretical framework and validates it using survey data collected from 249 EV supply chain enterprises in China. Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) is employed to empirically test the proposed relationships. The findings provide valuable theoretical insights and actionable guidance for EV manufacturers seeking to leverage digital transformation to mitigate risks effectively and enhance supply chain resilience. However, as the study focuses on Chinese EV supply chain enterprises, caution is needed when generalizing the findings to other regions. Future research could extend this investigation to different markets, such as to Europe and the United States, to explore potential variations. Full article

This paper studies the relative competitiveness of Germany’s onshore wind industry compared to China’s and investigates whether an equally drastic value chain relocation, similar to Germany’s solar PV industry, is likely. Based on a comprehensive study of Germany’s domestic market, international competitiveness indicators like the world trade share (WTS), revealed comparative advantage (RCA), and relative export advantage (RXA), as well as an expert interview, we found that Germany’s industry has lost competitiveness in recent years, supply chain shifts to China are observable, and Chinese manufacturers are poised to enter the German market. However, the German onshore wind industry is still competitive, has a strong basis in its domestic market, and, with the right energy policy framework, it could brace the storm. The novelty of this study is threefold: it offers a comprehensive comparison of the German and Chinese wind industries, presents the first analysis of the 2017 EEG reform’s impact on Germany’s wind industry, and is the first study to trace the evolution of domestic and foreign market shares in Germany’s onshore wind market. Full article

Lithium, a crucial raw material for new energy vehicles, is experiencing significant market price fluctuations due to escalating geopolitical conflicts, periodic mismatches in supply and demand, and increased attention to lithium resources from countries around the world. These factors may adversely affect the development of the new energy vehicle industry. This paper adopts the TVP-VAR-DY model, which measures dynamic spillover effects by allowing for variance changes through the estimation of a stochastic Kalman filter, thereby measuring risk spillover among upstream and downstream firms in the lithium industry chain. We selected 16 listed companies and six regional financial markets as the research sample, with the sample period from 4 July 2018, to 30 June 2023. The main conclusions are as follows: Between 2018 and 2020, the overall risk spillover in the lithium industry chain demonstrated a declining trend, though it experienced a sudden surge in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. This increase was followed by a gradual decline as the global economy improved and market stability was restored, leading to a reduction in risk aversion. Regarding the reception of risk spillovers, upstream firms exhibited a generally consistent level of directional risk spillovers, whereas downstream firms experienced more significant fluctuations. Chinese firms exhibited a higher level of received risk spillovers compared to their international counterparts, with less variation in these spillovers. From the perspective of risk spillover effects, significant variations were observed between firms in both the upstream and downstream markets. Chinese firms exhibited a higher level of risk inflow than international firms, with more pronounced changes in risk spillovers. Upstream enterprises should enhance their market competitiveness to mitigate the adverse effects of economic uncertainty. Downstream enterprises can alleviate the rise in raw material costs resulting from market price fluctuations through strategic cooperation. Additionally, the government should increase the market supply of resources, which will contribute to the establishment of a more robust lithium industry chain system. Full article

Global environmental issues are becoming increasingly prominent and environmental, social and governance (ESG) ratings may play a key role in green development by stimulating informal environmental regulation from stakeholders. As a pivotal criterion for measuring green development, green total factor productivity (GTFP) refers to maximizing output while minimizing the environmental pollution for the required input production factors. Existing research neglects the impact of ESG ratings on GTFP that indicates the balance between economic growth and ecological protection. This study examines the impact of ESG ratings and mechanisms on GTFP using a sample of Chinese A-share listed manufacturing firms between 2010 and 2021. The findings indicate that ESG ratings promote corporate GTFP, a result which remains robust after a series of robustness tests. The mechanism analysis reveals that ESG ratings improve corporate GTFP by alleviating financial constraints, mitigating managerial myopia, and enhancing supply chain efficiency. A moderating analysis verified that managerial power weakens the positive impact of ESG ratings on corporate GTFP. The positive effect of ESG ratings on GTFP is more pronounced among non-state-owned firms and firms in non-heavily polluting and highly competitive industries. This study confirms that ESG ratings can achieve the benefits of productivity growth, energy conservation, and pollution reduction at the micro-enterprise level, offering a policy foundation for promoting ESG disclosure and achieving green development. Full article

With the rapid development of digital technology and the increasing focus on the global supply chain network, it has become a new challenge for international companies to select digital technology innovation projects in an efficient way, so as to improve their supply chain position and competitiveness. Prior works have identified the effects of digital technology adoption on companies’ supply chain positions; however, there has been limited research on the impact of digital technology innovation heterogeneity on companies’ supply chain position and the pathways through which this effect plays out. Hence, based on the global supply chain panel data from Chinese new energy vehicle companies, this study used a two-way fixed-effects model and causal stepwise regression analysis to study the impact of digital technological innovation on companies’ supply chain position and the dynamic mechanisms between them. The empirical results show that all three types of digital technology innovations, in the design and development process, the production and manufacturing process, and the sales and after-sales process, significantly enhance the company’s supply chain position. Further mechanism analysis shows that digital technology innovations enhance the company’s managerial efficiency and profitability mainly by reducing costs and increasing revenues, which ultimately improves the company’s supply chain position. This paper can provide a reference for policy makers to promote the application and development of a company’s digital technology and enhancing the supply chain position. Full article

As the world’s largest emerging market country, not only has China faced the contradiction between its huge population size and per capita energy scarcity for a long time, but the rigid constraints brought by energy poverty have also plagued the lives and production of Chinese residents. Based on panel data from 30 provinces (except Tibet) in mainland China from 2009 to 2021, this study employs double machine learning and spatial difference-in-difference for causal inference to explore the impact of a medium- to long-term regional innovation pilot policy in China—the new policy for innovative transformation in regional industrial chains—on energy poverty alleviation. This study also introduces China’s conversion of new and old kinetic energy into this quasi-natural experiment. This study presents the following findings: (1) The new policy for innovative transformation in regional industrial chains and the concept of the conversion of new and old kinetic energy can both significantly promote energy poverty alleviation. (2) The mechanism pathway of “the new policy for innovative transformation in regional industrial chains → the conversion of new and old kinetic energy → the energy poverty alleviation in heating/household electricity/transportation segments” has proved to be an effective practice in China. (3) Based on the spatial double difference model, the spatial direct effect of the new regional industrial chain innovation and change policy on energy poverty alleviation is significantly positive, while the spatial direct effect and spatial spillover effect of the new and old kinetic energy transformation on energy poverty alleviation are both significantly positive. (4) Based on the counterfactual framework analysis, in addition to the causal mediating mechanism of the demand-side conversion of new and old kinetic energy being impeded, both the supply-side and the structural-side conversion of new and old kinetic energy are able to play a significant positive causal mediating role in both the treatment and control groups. Full article