State ownership and green innovation in China: The contingent roles of environmental and organizational factors

Green innovation has been recognized as a strategic priority for enhancing corporate image and achieving superior performance, yet few studies have examined the impact of state ownership on green innovation in emerging economies. Building on the institutional theory and resource-based view, this study investigates how state ownership affects green innovation within a given institutional environment and in combination with firm characteristics. Using panel data for listed Chinese firms from 2008 through 2016, our findings indicate that state ownership positively affects a firm's green innovation. Moreover, the facilitating role of state ownership in green innovation is strengthened in regions with advanced legal development, for firms with sufficient resources, or when a board chair possesses functional experience. These findings provide novel insights into how alignment between state ownership, the institutional environment, and organizational features affects green innovation in emerging economies.