The gift of green: Does intelligent manufacturing improve corporate environmental performance?

As an innovative production mode, intelligent manufacturing leverages automation, digitalization, and intelligent technologies to provide an effective green transformation solution for corporations. This paper empirically examines the impact of intelligent manufacturing on corporate environmental performance using a sample of Chinese firms from four batches of intelligent manufacturing pilot initiatives. The results indicate that intelligent manufacturing has improved the environmental performance of manufacturing enterprises, with pilot enterprises achieving an average ESG-E score approximately 3.46% higher than that of nonpilot enterprises. Mechanism analysis indicates that this effect is achieved primarily through the promotion of green innovation and the enhancement of market attention. The results of heterogeneity analysis indicate that enterprises in small-scale, non-high-pollution, and non-high-tech industries can achieve greater environmental benefits from intelligent manufacturing. This paper reveals the impact of intelligent manufacturing on corporate environmental performance and its transmission mechanisms and provides new empirical evidence to guide intelligent manufacturing development and achieve corporate green transformation.