Energy-saving and carbon-reducing effects of digital transformation in manufacturing enterprises: An empirical analysis based on questionnaire surveys of enterprises in China, Germany, and Brazil

[Objective] In the context of the “dual carbon” goals, digitalization is the key approach for manufacturing enterprises to achieve energy-saving and carbon-reducing operations. Building upon an in-depth interpretation of the connotations of digitalization, this study tries to deconstruct the mechani...

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Main Author: WANG Xiaofei, CHEN Ling
Format: Article
Language:zho
Published: Science Press, PR China 2025-04-01
Series:Ziyuan Kexue
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Online Access:https://www.resci.cn/fileup/1007-7588/PDF/1747038012061-56643570.pdf
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author WANG Xiaofei, CHEN Ling
author_facet WANG Xiaofei, CHEN Ling
author_sort WANG Xiaofei, CHEN Ling
collection DOAJ
description [Objective] In the context of the “dual carbon” goals, digitalization is the key approach for manufacturing enterprises to achieve energy-saving and carbon-reducing operations. Building upon an in-depth interpretation of the connotations of digitalization, this study tries to deconstruct the mechanism of how digital transformation drives energy saving and carbon reduction. In doing so, this study aims to enrich micro-level research perspectives and provide new insights for the research on the new integration of digitization and greening in enterprises. [Methods] Using questionnaire survey data collected from 704 manufacturing enterprises in China, Germany, and Brazil, this study employed an ordered Probit model and a mediation effect model to systematically evaluate the energy-saving and carbon-reducing effects, heterogeneous characteristics, and influencing pathways of digital transformation. [Results] (1) The digital transformation of enterprises had a significantly positive effect on energy saving and carbon reduction. (2) Digital transformation achieved energy saving and carbon reduction by improving enterprises' energy utilization efficiency, technological R&D capabilities, coordinated collaboration, and supply-demand matching capabilities. (3) The positive effect of digitization on energy saving and carbon reduction was more pronounced for enterprises closer to upstream sectors in the industry chain and with higher industry technology levels. Digital transformation in Chinese and German manufacturing enterprises greatly promoted energy saving and carbon reduction, whereas this effect was not significant in Brazilian manufacturing enterprises. [Conclusion] This study confirms the energy-saving and carbon-reducing effects of digital transformation, which is realized through two influence paths: the production process and the management process. In production processes, these effects manifest as improved energy utilization and R&D capabilities driven by technological progress. In management processes, they are reflected in strengthened coordinated collaboration and supply-demand matching capabilities resulting from reduced information asymmetry.
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spelling doaj-art-10372b9ac0f043108cccd5c4bacbd3c62025-08-20T03:52:47ZzhoScience Press, PR ChinaZiyuan Kexue1007-75882025-04-0147487689010.18402/resci.2025.04.15Energy-saving and carbon-reducing effects of digital transformation in manufacturing enterprises: An empirical analysis based on questionnaire surveys of enterprises in China, Germany, and BrazilWANG Xiaofei, CHEN Ling0School of Public Policy & Management, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China[Objective] In the context of the “dual carbon” goals, digitalization is the key approach for manufacturing enterprises to achieve energy-saving and carbon-reducing operations. Building upon an in-depth interpretation of the connotations of digitalization, this study tries to deconstruct the mechanism of how digital transformation drives energy saving and carbon reduction. In doing so, this study aims to enrich micro-level research perspectives and provide new insights for the research on the new integration of digitization and greening in enterprises. [Methods] Using questionnaire survey data collected from 704 manufacturing enterprises in China, Germany, and Brazil, this study employed an ordered Probit model and a mediation effect model to systematically evaluate the energy-saving and carbon-reducing effects, heterogeneous characteristics, and influencing pathways of digital transformation. [Results] (1) The digital transformation of enterprises had a significantly positive effect on energy saving and carbon reduction. (2) Digital transformation achieved energy saving and carbon reduction by improving enterprises' energy utilization efficiency, technological R&D capabilities, coordinated collaboration, and supply-demand matching capabilities. (3) The positive effect of digitization on energy saving and carbon reduction was more pronounced for enterprises closer to upstream sectors in the industry chain and with higher industry technology levels. Digital transformation in Chinese and German manufacturing enterprises greatly promoted energy saving and carbon reduction, whereas this effect was not significant in Brazilian manufacturing enterprises. [Conclusion] This study confirms the energy-saving and carbon-reducing effects of digital transformation, which is realized through two influence paths: the production process and the management process. In production processes, these effects manifest as improved energy utilization and R&D capabilities driven by technological progress. In management processes, they are reflected in strengthened coordinated collaboration and supply-demand matching capabilities resulting from reduced information asymmetry.https://www.resci.cn/fileup/1007-7588/PDF/1747038012061-56643570.pdfdigital transformation|manufacturing industry|energy-saving and carbon-reducing|mediation effects|questionnaire survey|ordered probit model
spellingShingle WANG Xiaofei, CHEN Ling
Energy-saving and carbon-reducing effects of digital transformation in manufacturing enterprises: An empirical analysis based on questionnaire surveys of enterprises in China, Germany, and Brazil
Ziyuan Kexue
digital transformation|manufacturing industry|energy-saving and carbon-reducing|mediation effects|questionnaire survey|ordered probit model
title Energy-saving and carbon-reducing effects of digital transformation in manufacturing enterprises: An empirical analysis based on questionnaire surveys of enterprises in China, Germany, and Brazil
title_full Energy-saving and carbon-reducing effects of digital transformation in manufacturing enterprises: An empirical analysis based on questionnaire surveys of enterprises in China, Germany, and Brazil
title_fullStr Energy-saving and carbon-reducing effects of digital transformation in manufacturing enterprises: An empirical analysis based on questionnaire surveys of enterprises in China, Germany, and Brazil
title_full_unstemmed Energy-saving and carbon-reducing effects of digital transformation in manufacturing enterprises: An empirical analysis based on questionnaire surveys of enterprises in China, Germany, and Brazil
title_short Energy-saving and carbon-reducing effects of digital transformation in manufacturing enterprises: An empirical analysis based on questionnaire surveys of enterprises in China, Germany, and Brazil
title_sort energy saving and carbon reducing effects of digital transformation in manufacturing enterprises an empirical analysis based on questionnaire surveys of enterprises in china germany and brazil
topic digital transformation|manufacturing industry|energy-saving and carbon-reducing|mediation effects|questionnaire survey|ordered probit model
url https://www.resci.cn/fileup/1007-7588/PDF/1747038012061-56643570.pdf
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