Abstract:

In the 21st century, technological innovation has become a crucial driver of economic transformation. It also contributes to agricultural performance, particularly through its influence on research intensity and labor productivity growth. However, its specific implications for agricultural performance in the ASEAN region remain insufficiently examined. Since the agricultural sector is essential for ensuring food security and sustaining rural livelihoods, understanding the intersection between innovation and agricultural outcomes becomes indispensable. This study explores how technological innovation impacts agricultural performance in the ASEAN region from 2000 to 2022, emphasizing the moderating role of digitalization. Using the Panel-Corrected Standard Errors (PCSE) model alongside various robustness tests, the study identifies several key findings. (1) Technological innovation enhances agricultural performance. (2) Technological innovation improves agricultural performance by increasing agricultural research intensity and labor productivity growth. (3) Digitalization positively moderates the effect of technological innovation on agricultural performance. (4) Digitalization further amplifies the impact of technological innovation on the production of crops, livestock, fisheries, agri-value added, and agri-export. (5) Heterogeneity analysis indicates that ASEAN countries with high levels of economic growth, agricultural reliance, and education experience the most significant benefits from technological innovation in agriculture. Hence, the study offers novel insights for policymakers at both macro and micro levels, advocating for improved regional collaboration, digital infrastructure, research and development, capacity building, and institutional reforms to foster technology-driven agricultural transformation in the ASEAN region. 

Abstract:

We investigate the influence of FinTech startup financing on energy efficiency in 32 OECD countries from 2010 to 2022, considering the roles of financial development, financial institutions, and financial markets. Using a comprehensive dataset, we apply Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) with a Super Slack-Based Measure (Super-SBM) to calculate energy efficiency scores, along with econometric techniques to ensure robustness and explore non-linear effects. Our findings demonstrate that FinTech financing significantly enhances energy efficiency, particularly in countries with more advanced financial systems. Additionally, financial development through well-established institutions and markets plays a crucial role in promoting energy efficiency, with the effects being stronger in highly developed countries. The quantile analysis further reveals that these impacts are asymmetric, with stronger effects observed in countries that already have higher levels of energy efficiency. These results suggest that while FinTech and financial development contribute positively to energy efficiency, their influence varies across different country contexts. Policymakers should focus on strengthening financial systems in less-developed nations to fully capitalize on FinTech innovations for improving sustainability. 

Abstract:

Energy drives economic growth but comes with environmental costs. Renewable energy offers a sustainable solution, with foreign investment facilitating access to advanced technologies. China's growing investment in Africa has sparked debates about its impact relative to other foreign investments. This study examines the impact of Chinese investment, FDI inflows, and digitalization on renewable energy development in African countries from 2003 to 2021. Using advanced machine learning regression and econometric methods—including Partialing-out LASSO regression, Cross-fit Partialing-out Linear Regression, Panel-Corrected Standard Errors (PCSE), Driscoll-Kraay Standard Errors (DKSE), and Instrumental Variable methods. These approaches accounts for cross-sectional dependency, heterogeneity, and endogeneity, thereby enhancing the robustness of the analysis. Our findings reveal that Chinese investment and FDI inflows significantly enhance renewable electricity production and renewable energy consumption, highlighting the role of foreign capital in supporting Africa's renewable energy development. In contrast, digitalization negatively affects renewable electricity production while reducing renewable energy consumption, suggesting that digitalization may divert attention and resources away from renewable energy production but improve efficiency in energy use. Policies should attract tech-driven investments and optimize digitalization for sustainable renewable energy in Africa. Policymakers should prioritize efficient foreign investments to bolster renewable energy infrastructure. 

Abstract:

We examine how external pressures and technological adoption impact environmental sustainability performance (ESP) in Chinese banks. Using the Stimulus-Organism-Response (SOR) framework and Institutional Theory, we explore how industry and stakeholder pressures drive the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital banking services, and how these technologies influence sustainability outcomes. Data were collected from Chinese bank employees via the WJX online platform. The analysis employs partial least squares-structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to examine direct and indirect effects, along with necessary condition analysis (NCA) to assess necessary conditions for achieving ESP. Our findings confirm that both industry and stakeholder pressures significantly promote AI adoption and digital banking services. Notably, AI adoption exerts a stronger influence on ESP compared to digital banking services. Our results confirm that AI adoption mediates the link between external pressures and sustainability outcomes, while digital banking services only mediate the relationship between industry pressure and ESP. The NCA findings further identify industry pressure and AI adoption as necessary conditions for improving ESP. This study contributes to the engineering management literature by integrating external pressures, AI adoption, and sustainability in the banking sector and provides practical insights for policymakers and bank managers to enhance their environmental sustainability strategies.