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Digital Financial Inclusion and Green Invention Innovation in China: Evidence from Provincial Panel Data

Author(s)

Junchen Lin*

Affiliation(s)

School of Economics & Management, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, China *Corresponding Author.

Abstract

This study explores the correlation between inclusive digital finance and green technology innovation within the Chinese context. Using provincial panel data and green invention patent indicators, the study investigates whether the development of digital financial inclusion is associated with higher levels of green innovation. This empirical research adopts the OLS method and fixed-effect models for estimation, while taking economic growth, population scale, industrial composition and carbon emission intensity as control variables. The results show a positive association between digital financial inclusion and green invention patents in several specifications, although the coefficient becomes statistically insignificant after controlling for both province and year fixed effects. The research results indicate that inclusive digital finance can significantly facilitate environmental process at the regional level, and the conclusions put forward relevant policy references to advance environmental change via digital financial development.

Keywords

Digital Financial Inclusion; Green Invention Patents; Green Innovation; Provincial Panel Data; R&D Investment; Fixed Effects Model; Regional Heterogeneity; Carbon Intensity

References

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