Go for Economic Transformation and Development in China: Financial Development, Higher Education, and Green Technology Evolution

Abstract

Technology innovation is the key driving force in achieving economic transformation and development. Financial development and the expansion of higher education can promote technological progress primarily by easing financing constraints and improving the level of human capital. This study examines the impact of financial development and higher education expansion on green technology innovation. It conducts an empirical analysis by constructing a linear panel model and a nonlinear threshold model. The present study sample is based on the urban panel data of China from 2003–2019. (1) Financial development can significantly promote the expansion of higher education. (2) The expansion of higher education can improve energy and environment-based technological progress. (3) Financial development can both directly and indirectly promote green technology evolution by expanding higher education. The joint financial development and higher education expansion can significantly empower green technology innovation. (4) In the process of promoting green technology innovation, financial development has a non-linear influence on it, with higher education as the threshold. The effect of financial development on green technology innovation varies according to the degree of higher education. Based on these findings, we put forward policy proposals for green technology innovation to promote economic transformation and development in China.

Role of Corruption and Governance Quality on Green Electricity Transition: Learning Through the Lens of Economic Complexity and Sustainability

“…Lastly, the role of human capital in green electricity is statistically signifi cant but negatively related to the transition to green electricity. Generally, the positive impact is that human capital eff ectively encourages economic development by innovating green and efficient technologies (Paramati et al, 2022;Liu et al, 2023;Zhou et al, 2024). However, the estimated results indicate that certain factors or reasons could negatively infl uence green transition.…”

Carbon Footprint of Flour Production in Poland

“…The current green revolution in the economy and the realization of climate goals require industries and the agricultural sector to take actions that place a low burden on the environment [10]. They will enable them to adapt to climate change and introduce low-carbon technologies.…”

Preface to Special Issue on “Evaluation of Policy Conflicts Towards Sustainable Development Goals”—II

“…It requires channeling the human and financial capitals in a target way. The study by Zhou et al (2023) has shown that channeling the investments in promoting higher education is a primary step towards boosting green technological innovations in China. The study also found that impact of financial development on green technological innovations is nonlinearly conditional upon the degree of higher education.…”