How exports affect green technology innovation in small- and medium-sized enterprises? Evidence from Chinese companies listed on the growth enterprise market

Using matched data from China Stock Market and Accounting Research (CSMAR) and Wind databases, this paper explores the impact of exports on the green technology innovation (GTI) of small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The mechanisms are analyzed through a two-way fixed effects model. First, exports contribute significantly to GTI of SMEs. Second, exports mainly contribute to GTI of SMEs by attracting government subsidies and increasing firms’ environmental awareness. Third, from the perspective of heterogeneity, exports significantly positively impact GTI of SMEs especially in medium- and low-technology industries and in eastern China. The impact of exports on GTI is also examined by replacing core variables, modifying the sample for robustness testing, and utilizing both urban river density and distance from the center of the city to the nearest port as instrumental variables for endogeneity test. With the continuous development of international import and export trade, enterprises increase GTI research and development by attracting government subsidies, improving the quality of disclosed information, and increasing environmental awareness.