Digital transformation, green behaviors, and environmental policy heterogeneity in resource-based enterprises

Implementing green behaviors is crucial for enterprises to address environmental challenges. This study examines how digital transformation impacts three dimensions of green behavior in resource-based enterprises using panel data from 437 Chinese A-share resource-based companies (2013-2023). Employing a fixed effects model with instrumental variables to address endogeneity concerns, we find that digital transformation significantly enhances green innovation behaviors inhibits green management behaviors and shows no significant impact on green production behaviors. Market-based environmental policies positively moderate the relationship between digital transformation and green innovation while public participation policies mitigate the negative impact on green management behaviors. These effects are most pronounced in state-owned enterprises and firms in the extraction stage of the value chain. Our findings contribute to understanding the complex relationship between digitalization and sustainability in traditional industries, suggesting that policy design should be tailored to specific green behavior objectives.