Theoretical framework for assessing construction enterprise green innovation efficiency and influencing factors: Evidence from China

This study explores strategies and mechanisms to improve the efficiency of green innovation in construction enterprises with a newly constructed theoretical framework. Firstly, a theoretical framework for measuring green innovation efficiency in construction enterprises and analyzing its influencing factors is constructed based on resource-based theory, institutional theory and asymmetric innovation theory. Secondly, the SBM model was applied to calculate the green innovation efficiency of construction enterprises in China from 2008 to 2019. Then, the effects of different factors on the green innovation efficiency of construction enterprises were empirically tested. The main findings are as follows. (1) There is significant regional heterogeneity in the green innovation efficiency of construction enterprises in China; (2) The openness of the market, the industrial structure of the construction industry and government support for innovation show significant positive effects on the green innovation efficiency of construction enterprises; (3) The large size of the construction industry and strict environmental policies negatively affect the green innovation efficiency of construction enterprises. This study provides a policy reference for the Chinese government to realize the green transformation of the construction industry through green innovation. In addition, it also provides experiences from China for other regions in the world that are facing carbon reduction problems in the construction industry through green innovation. (c) 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. This is an open access article under the CC BY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).