Digitalization Drives the Green Transformation of Agriculture-Related Enterprises: A Case Study of A-Share Agriculture-Related Listed Companies

Abstract

The advent of new digital technologies has catalyzed a disruptive technological revolution, fostering significant industrial changes and advancing the green transformation of the economy and society. This paper investigates the influence of digitization on the green transformation of agribusiness firms, focusing on agriculture-related companies listed on the Shanghai and Shenzhen A-share markets from 2013 to 2021. Employing fixed-effect and mediated-effect models, the study examines the mechanisms through which digitization impacts these enterprises. The findings indicate that the relationship between digitization and green transformation in agribusiness is non-linear; a certain threshold of digitization must be achieved before it positively affects green transformation. The effect of digitization on green transformation varies according to the nature of business ownership, company size, supply chain flexibility, and regional environmental regulations. The study reveals that digitization influences green transformation through several mechanisms that promote economies of scale, technological innovation, and structural adjustments. While economies of scale derived from digitization do not directly support green transformation, they facilitate technological innovation and structural adjustments that enhance green initiatives in agribusiness.