Digital Commerce as a Catalyst for Ecological Transformation: Evidence from China’s Manufacturing Sector

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.