Search Results (312)

Achieving carbon reduction is essential in advancing China’s dual carbon goals and promoting a green transformation in the transportation sector. Changes in energy structure and intensity constitute key drivers for sustainable and low-carbon development in this field. To explore the spatial spillover effects of the energy structure and intensity on the green transition of transportation, this study constructs a panel dataset of 30 Chinese provinces from 2007 to 2020. It employs a super-efficiency SBM model, non-parametric kernel density estimation, and a spatial Markov chain to verify and quantify the spatial spillover effects of green total factor productivity (GTFP) in the transportation sector. A dynamic spatial Durbin model is then used for empirical estimation. The main findings are as follows: (1) GTFP in China’s transportation sector exhibits a distinct spatial pattern of “high in the east, low in the west”, with an evident path dependence and structural divergence in its evolution; (2) GTFP displays spatial clustering characteristics, with “high–high” and “low–low” agglomeration patterns, and the spatial Markov chain confirms that the GTFP levels of neighboring regions significantly influence local transitions; (3) the optimization of the energy structure significantly promotes both local and neighboring GTFP in the short term, although the effect weakens over the long term; (4) a reduction in energy intensity also exerts a significant positive effect on GTFP, but with clear regional heterogeneity: the effects are more pronounced in the eastern and central regions, whereas the western and northeastern regions face risks of negative spillovers. Drawing on the empirical findings, several policy recommendations are proposed, including implementing regionally differentiated strategies for energy structure adjustment, enhancing transportation’s energy efficiency, strengthening cross-regional policy coordination, and establishing green development incentive mechanisms, with the aim of supporting the green and low-carbon transformation of the transportation sector both theoretically and practically. Full article

Energy security has emerged as a critical concern amid intensifying climate risks and surging energy demand driven by economic growth. This study examines the impact of climate risk on energy security by constructing a panel dataset covering 30 Chinese provinces from 2006 to 2022. Using the instrumental variable generalized method of moments (IV-GMM) model, we estimate the marginal impact of climate risk on energy security and further investigate its asymmetric, direct, and indirect relationships via panel quantile regression and mediation analysis. Our key findings are as follows: (1) Climate risk exerts a significant negative impact on energy security, indicating an inverse relationship. (2) The effect of climate risk is asymmetric, with a stronger adverse impact in regions with lower levels of energy security. (3) Climate risk undermines energy security by reducing energy accessibility, affordability, sustainability, and technological efficiency. (4) Energy transition and energy efficiency serve as critical mediators in the relationship between climate risk and energy security, offering insights into potential mitigation pathways. Unlike previous studies that primarily examine energy security in isolation or focus on single dimensions, this research integrates a multidimensional indicator system and advanced econometric techniques to uncover both direct and mediated pathways, thereby filling a key gap in understanding the climate–energy nexus at the provincial level in China. Based on these findings, we propose targeted policy recommendations to enhance energy security by improving climate resilience, accelerating the deployment of renewable energy, and optimizing energy infrastructure investments. Full article

Can supply chain strategies, ESG practices, and digital innovations be the game-changers the planet needs for a sustainable future? Motivated by this question, this study investigates the drivers of CO₂ emissions, focusing on supply chain management (GSC), ESG sustainability practices, and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in China from 2002Q4 to 2024Q4. Utilizing a series of wavelet tools—including wavelet coherence (WTC), partial wavelet coherence (PWC), and multiple wavelet coherence (MWC)—the study uncovers associations across time and frequency domains. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to examine these dynamics within the Chinese context using advanced wavelet techniques. The WTC results reveal that GSC, ICT, and patents are positively associated with CO₂ emissions, particularly during 2008–2016 and 2018–2024, while ESG practices reduced emissions before 2016 but became positively linked to emissions afterward. MWC and PWC analyses confirm that these drivers influence CO₂ within 1–4-year bands, while wavelet Granger causality tests indicate weak short-term but strong medium- to long-term causal relationships among ESG, GSC, PAT, ICT, and CO₂ emissions. Based on these results, policy recommendations are formulated. Full article

Background: Influenza vaccine and pneumococcal vaccine are essential to protect the health of older adults. This study focuses on the impact of family physicians’ recommendations on influenza and pneumococcal vaccine uptake among urban Chinese older adults and makes recommendations for improving vaccination rates. Methods: A cross-sectional survey on influenza vaccination and pneumonia vaccination was conducted in December 2024 in six cities in China among adults aged ≥60 years. Marginal effects as well as logistic regression models were adopted to measure the relationship between family physician recommendation and influenza vaccination and pneumonia vaccination. Results: The overall influenza vaccination rate was 34.05% and pneumococcal vaccination rate was 22.79%. City, educational level, monthly income, health status, and family physician vaccination recommendation had significant impacts on influenza and pneumococcal vaccination (p < 0.05). Among the investigated elderly population, 48.78% and 28.56% had received recommendations from family physicians regarding influenza and pneumococcal vaccination, respectively. Analysis of marginal effects models revealed that physicians’ recommendations were significantly able to boost influenza and pneumococcal vaccination rates by 26.3% (average marginal effect = 0.263, 95% CI = 0.249–0.277) and 23.7% (average marginal effect = 0.237, 95% CI = 0.225–0.248), respectively (p < 0.001). In the adjusted model, family physician recommendation, compared with no family physician recommendation, was also associated with vaccine policy, monthly income, and age in influenza vaccine and pneumococcal vaccine uptake. Conclusions: Older adults’ influenza and pneumococcal vaccination rates need to be improved. Family physicians’ recommendations show a more significant impact on older adults. Family physician recommendations had the greatest boosting effect on vaccination among individuals aged 70–79. Healthcare providers should adopt different vaccine recommendation strategies based on the characteristics of older adults. Full article

Migrant children’s discrimination perceptions directly affect their cultural adaptation in the city of influx. In response to migrant children, cities in China have issued relevant urban education policies such as the different-location college entrance examination policy. This study aims to investigate the impact of China’s urban educational policies on the relationship between perceptions of discrimination and acculturation among migrant children. The research sample for this paper was drawn from nine cities that pioneered the policy reform, and a total of 1436 questionnaires were collected. This study analyzed the data using multiple regression analysis and mediation effect tests. This study reveals the following: (a) Migrant children’s educational policy identity has a significant positive impact on their acculturation, whereas their perception of discrimination has a significant negative effect on their acculturation. (b) As the influence of urban educational policies increases, the negative effects of discrimination perceptions on migrant children’s school cultural adaptation, community cultural adaptation, and customs and language adaptation will all diminish. To further explore the facilitating effect of urban educational policies on the cultural adaptation of migrant children, this study proposes recommendations for the household registration system, college entrance examination admission system, and child protection system. This paper not only puts forward policy recommendations for cities of inflow but also provides a Chinese research horizon for the urban cultural adaptation of migrant children in cities of inflow. Full article

In the context of the “Dual Carbon” goals and ecological civilization development, enhancing forestry ecological total factor productivity (FETFP) has become vital for advancing green development and environmental governance. Confronted with tightening resource constraints and pressure to transform traditional growth models, whether digital intelligence integration can effectively empower improvements in FETFP requires in-depth empirical validation. Based on publicly available panel data from 30 Chinese provinces spanning 2012 to 2022, this study constructs an index system for measuring digital intelligence integration and FETFP. Using the Double Machine Learning (DML) framework, the study empirically identifies the impact of digital intelligence development on FETFP and explores its internal mechanisms. The key results show that (1) digital intelligence integration significantly enhances FETFP. For every unit increase in digital and intelligent integration, FETFP rises by an average of 19.97%; (2) mechanism analysis reveals that digital intelligence improves FETFP by optimizing the forestry industrial structure, promoting green technological innovation, and amplifying the synergistic effects of fiscal support; (3) and heterogeneity analysis suggests that the positive impact of digital intelligence integration is more pronounced in regions with higher environmental expenditures and stronger green finance support. Accordingly, this study proposes several policy recommendations, including accelerating digital infrastructure development, strengthening foundational digital intelligence capabilities, enhancing support for green innovation, leveraging the ecological multiplier effects of digital transformation, tailoring digital strategies to local conditions, and improving the precision of regional environmental governance. The findings provide robust empirical evidence for improving FETFP in developing and developed economies. Full article

This study investigates the relationship between monetary and non-monetary motivations and financial and non-financial job performance among non-academic staff in Chinese universities. Using data from 356 respondents, analyzed via Structural Equation Modeling (SEM-PLS) with Smart-PLS4, this study finds that both incentive types significantly affect performance. Monetary incentives such as salaries and bonuses primarily enhance financial performance; on the contrary, non-monetary incentives such as training, career advancement, and supportive work environments have a stronger impact on nonfinancial performance, including job satisfaction and service quality. The findings underscore the importance of implementing balanced motivation strategies that integrate both financial rewards and developmental support. From a policy perspective, this study recommends customized incentive systems to improve administrative effectiveness and contribute to the strategic development of universities. These insights offer practical guidance for strengthening human resource practices and maximizing the performance of non-academic personnel in the context of higher education in China. Full article

In the digital economy era, artificial intelligence, big data, and 5G are widely applied across various industries. The deep integration of digitalization and traditional sectors has been facilitated by this trend, which has injected new momentum into industrial development. In this context, this paper employs panel data from 29 Chinese provinces that span the years 2017 to 2023. This paper transcends the constraints of current research by integrating the digital economy with the export of new energy vehicles. Furthermore, this paper provides a regional analysis of this impact, thereby contributing to the existing literature. The following are the conclusions: (1) The export of new energy vehicles is substantially stimulated by the development of the digital economy. (2) Exports are indirectly facilitated by the digital economy, which promotes technological innovation and financial services. (3) The digital economy shows a significantly greater impact on the export of new energy vehicles in the eastern and inland areas than in other regions. Based on these discoveries, the paper suggests four critical policy recommendations: expanded openness, technological innovation, intelligent digital marketing, and government support. The objective is to foster the sustainable growth of China’s new energy vehicle export trade. This paper offers theoretical support for the sustainability of Chinese enterprises’ competitiveness in the international market. It also provides policymakers and industry stakeholders with practical advice. Full article

Amplifying corporate environmental investments is a pivotal strategy for achieving the “carbon peak and carbon neutral” objectives of China’s green development initiative. The digital transformation has the potential to generate new quality productive forces by leveraging data, thereby promoting green technology innovation, enhancing technology efficiency, and leveraging the impact of resource reallocation. Consequently, this transition enables enterprises to transition from a “passive compliance” model to a “proactive enhancement” model, thereby achieving a significant quality leap forward in their environmental investment. The present study utilises a sample of Chinese A-share companies from 2011 to 2023 to innovatively construct a multifaceted data model to quantitatively analyse the impact of digital transformation on corporate environmental investment. This analysis incorporates the intermediary effects of enhanced new quality productive forces, the intermediary effects of data application, and the threshold effects of environmental uncertainty, as well as the non-linear effects of industry, property rights, regional differences, policy, and the intensity of production factors. The study’s findings are as follows: (1) Digital transformation significantly promotes corporate environmental investment, and this conclusion is robust. (2) The new quality productive forces have a positive intermediary effect on corporate environmental investment during digital transformation. (3) The application of big data has been demonstrated to moderate the intermediary effects of “digital transformation-new quality productive forces-enterprise environmental investment.” (4) The impact of environmental uncertainty on corporate environmental investment during the digital transformation process is characterised by a “barrier effect,” exhibiting a “border effect” that is non-linear in nature. (5) In the context of the lightweight pollution industry, non-state-owned enterprises, the eastern region, and the implementation of environmental policies, the efficacy of digital transformation in enhancing corporate environmental investment is particularly pronounced. In light of the aforementioned, the present study puts forth four specific recommendations, offering invaluable insights for the contemporary Chinese enterprise to navigate the process of transformation and achieve sustainable, high-quality growth. Full article

Against the backdrop of the accelerated development of the global digital economy and the deepening advancement of the sustainable development agenda, artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as the core driving force behind the new round of technological revolution, reshaping the competitive landscape of international trade. Chinese export companies are facing dual pressures from technological barriers imposed by developed countries and cost competition from emerging economies, making traditional development models unsustainable. In this context, exploring how AI technology can promote the sustainable growth of export companies holds significant theoretical and practical significance. This article employs a three-dimensional fixed-effects nonlinear quadratic model to empirically analyze the dynamic relationship between AI adoption and the growth of export companies, based on data from Chinese A-share listed export companies. The analysis results show that AI has a significant dynamic nonlinear effect on the growth of export companies, which is initially inhibitory and then becomes promotional. In the early stages, due to high technology adaptation costs, company growth is somewhat inhibited. However, as the technology matures, AI significantly enhances the company’s innovation capabilities and competitiveness, thereby promoting its long-term sustainable growth. This result remains valid after a series of robustness tests. This effect is significant in non-state-owned enterprises and medium-to-low technology industries, but not in state-owned enterprises and high-technology industries. Three pathways—enterprise efficiency, innovation investment, and levels of digital factor investment—enhance this dynamic effect. Finally, based on the above research findings, this study proposes policy recommendations for enterprises to leverage artificial intelligence technology to promote the growth of export companies. Full article

The sustainable development of Chinese cities is of long-term significance. Multiple environmental regulatory instruments aim to promote the parallel advancement of environmental conservation and economic growth. This study examines three batches of low-carbon city pilot (LCCP) programs, employing eco-efficiency as the outcome variable. Using conventional difference-in-differences (DID) models, time-varying DID models, and period-by-period propensity score matching DID (PSM-DID) models with city and time fixed effects, we investigate the comprehensive impact of pilot policies on both economic and environmental performance. Eco-efficiency, measured through the Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) model, exhibits a strong correlation with energy consumption patterns, as carbon emissions and air pollutants predominantly originate from non-clean energy utilization. The analysis reveals that LCCP policies significantly enhance eco-efficiency. These findings demonstrate robustness across placebo tests, endogeneity treatments, and alternative outcome variable specifications. The first and third LCCP batches significantly improve eco-efficiency, whereas the second batch demonstrates no statistically significant effect. Significant impacts emerge in regions where cities hold pilot status while provinces do not; conversely, regions where both cities and provinces participate in pilot programs show no significant effects. Finally, from an energy consumption perspective, policy recommendations are proposed to further enhance eco-efficiency through regulatory instruments. Full article

As an environmental policy, the Action Plan of Atmosphere Pollution Control in Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei and Surrounding Areas in Autumn and Winter (Action Plan of APC) was implemented in 2017, with the goal of achieving the sustainable growth of the regional economy. This study examines the effect of the Action Plan of APC on green total factor productivity (GTFP) in the Chinese construction industry employing a difference-in-differences (DID) approach. The findings indicate the following: Firstly, the environmental policy of the Action Plan of APC has significantly improved the GTFP of the aforementioned areas, and the result is still valid after robustness testing; secondly, the dynamic effect testing reveals that the influence follows an increasing trend over time; thirdly, due to the different degrees of marketization, the influence of the Action Plan of APC on GTFP in Chinese construction industry exhibits notable regional heterogeneity. From the perspectives of both the government and enterprises, this study offers recommendations for promoting the GTFP of China’s construction industry. It also provides a novel framework for assessing the effect of environmental policies on the GTFP of the Chinese construction industry. Full article

Cervical cancer remains a significant global public health challenge, with human papillomavirus (HPV) as its primary cause. In response, the World Health Organization (WHO) launched a global strategy to eliminate cervical cancer by 2030 and, in its 2022 position paper, recommended a single-dose vaccination schedule. The objective of this review is to critically examine the current HPV vaccination landscape in China, including vaccination policies, immunization schedules, supply–demand dynamics, and the feasibility of transitioning to a single-dose regimen. By synthesizing recent developments in HPV virology, epidemiology, vaccine types, and immunization strategies, we identify both opportunities and barriers unique to the Chinese context. Results indicate that China primarily adheres to a three-dose vaccination schedule, with an optional two-dose schedule for girls aged 9–14, leaving a notable gap compared to the most recent WHO recommendation. The high prevalence of HPV types 52 and 58 contributes to a distinct regional infection pattern, underscoring the specific need for nine-valent vaccines tailored to China’s epidemiological profile. Despite the growing demand, vaccine supply remains inadequate, with an estimated annual shortfall of more than 15 million doses. This issue is further complicated by strong public preference for the nine-valent vaccine and the relatively high cost of vaccination. Emerging evidence supports the comparable efficacy and durable protection of a single-dose schedule, which could substantially reduce financial and logistical burdens while expanding coverage. This review advocates for the adoption of a simplified single-dose regimen, supported by catch-up strategies for older cohorts and the integration of HPV vaccination into China’s National Immunization Program (NIP). Sustained investment in domestic vaccine development and centralized procurement of imported vaccines may also possibly alleviate supply shortage. These coordinated efforts are critical for strengthening HPV-related disease prevention and accelerating China’s progress toward the WHO’s cervical cancer elimination targets. Full article

In an era where sustainable development is increasingly a core strategic issue for businesses, how top management, as the architects of corporate strategy, can achieve a synergy of economic, social, and environmental benefits through internal management mechanisms to promote corporate sustainability is a central focus for both academia and practice. This study aims to explore how Executive Cognitive Flexibility (CF) influences Firm Performance and to uncover the mediating effects of Non-market Strategy. We use panel data from Chinese A-share listed companies between 2016 and 2022 to examine and empirically analyze this mechanism. Our findings indicate that CF has a positive impact on Firm Performance. This relationship is realized through the pathway of Non-market Strategy, specifically manifesting as a reduction in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and an increase in Corporate Political Activity (CPA). Further analysis reveals that the impact of executive cognitive flexibility on firm performance is differentially influenced by internal and external environmental contexts. The findings of this study provide important practical insights and policy recommendations for companies on cultivating executive cognitive flexibility, optimizing non-market strategies, and enhancing firm performance in various internal and external environments. Full article

The equitable allocation of clean energy access across towns–rural divides is a critical benchmark of modernization in developing economies. This is because it is intricately linked to the realization of strategic goals such as shared prosperity, ecological civilization advancement, and national energy security reinforcement. This research examines the impact of China’s digital village (DV) construction in reducing the urban–rural disparity in household clean energy access, evaluates the effect on towns–rural clean energy consumption inequality (CEI), explores the mediating mechanisms, and considers regional heterogeneity. It is an innovative approach to test the influence of digital village construction on clean energy consumption inequality between urban and rural areas, beyond which conventional research is limited to infrastructure investment and policy considerations. We can reach the following three results: (1) With the continuous improvement of digital village construction, CEI between towns and rural areas shows an “inverted U-shaped” change. (2) From the perspective of the intermediary mechanism, agricultural technological progress (ATP) and industrial structure upgrading (IND) can facilitate digital village construction and reduce the disparity in clean energy consumption between towns and rural regions. (3) From the perspective of heterogeneity analysis, digital village construction in areas with low urbanization levels, high terrain undulation, and non-clean energy demonstration provinces can significantly alleviate CEI. It is on this basis that the present paper proposes a policy recommendation for the Chinese government to effectively reduce the gap between towns and rural clean energy consumption in the process of digital village construction. Full article