Sustainability of Global Trade: The Impact of Executive Green Awareness on the Global Green Value Chain of Enterprises

In the context of economic globalization, international trade facilitates cross-border production and consumption but raises concerns such as carbon transfer from corporate trade activities. This study investigates the influence of executives’ green awareness on the global green value chain (GGVC) using matched data from Chinese customs and enterprises, along with newly constructed GVC net flow indicators and econometric models. From 2007 to 2016, executives’ green awareness in Chinese A-share listed companies significantly promoted GVC development, with proactive, green-oriented executives driving greater green upgrades. Variations in executives’ backgrounds, firm types, regional education levels, and highly digitalized production environments further shaped the effectiveness of green leadership. The findings provide empirical evidence and insights into green export management practices.