Academic executives and corporate new quality productive forces

Purpose This paper aims to investigate how executives' academic experience influences the development of firms' new-quality productive forces (NQPF), a critical driver of sustainable and innovation-led economic growth. Grounded in upper echelons and imprinting theories, the study addresses the gap in existing research regarding the role of executives' academic backgrounds in shaping corporate innovation capacity. It also explores the mechanisms through which academic executives (AEs) enhance NQPF, offering new insights into corporate governance and talent recruitment. By examining heterogeneity across ownership types, industries and environmental contexts, the study seeks to provide actionable implications for firms and policymakers. Design/methodology/approach This study employs a comprehensive dataset of Chinese A-share listed firms from 2011 to 2020 to examine the impact of executives' academic experience on NQPF. The analysis applies fixed effects regression models with extensive control variables. To address endogeneity concerns, the study uses entropy balancing, lagged models, two-stage least squares (2SLS) and placebo tests. Mechanism analyses investigate three channels – digital transformation, green technological innovation and green management practices. Additional robustness checks include alternative model specifications, variable replacements and heterogeneity tests across firm types and pollution levels to ensure result reliability. Findings The study finds that executives' academic experience significantly enhances firms' NQPF. This positive effect is primarily realized through three pathways: digital transformation, green technological innovation and green management innovation. The results remain robust across multiple endogeneity and sensitivity checks. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that the impact of academic executives is more pronounced in state-owned enterprises, high-tech firms and companies with lower pollution levels. Moreover, firms with stronger innovation capabilities exhibit a more substantial positive relationship between academic experience and NQPF. These findings highlight the strategic value of academic talent in driving sustainable and innovation-oriented corporate growth. Originality/value This study contributes to the literature by linking executives' academic experience to the advancement of NQPF, an emerging concept in China's economic strategy. It enriches upper echelons theory by framing academic background as a vital imprint that fosters corporate innovation and sustainability. The paper is among the first to unpack the mechanisms – digital, green technological and managerial pathways – through which academic executives influence firm outcomes. By providing robust empirical evidence and practical insights, the study informs corporate governance practices and talent strategies, underscoring the importance of academic expertise in the modernization of firm productivity.