The export green-sophistication (EGS) is not only an important engine for the high-quality development of China's economy but also the external embodiment of the core international competitiveness and the key to resisting external competition and realizing the upgrade of the value chain. Using the database of China's digital finance development, China's A-share listed enterprises, and the China Customs database, we test the relationship between digital finance (DF) and the EGS of enterprises. It shows that DF significantly promotes listed enterprises' EGS, and compared to the depth of use of DF and digitization degree of DF, the promotion effect of coverage breadth of DF is the most significant. The heterogeneity analysis shows that the positive effect is more conspicuous for promoting the EGS in private enterprises, general trade enterprises, central and western regions' enterprises, and enterprises exporting to developed countries. The mechanism test finds that alleviating financing constraints and promoting green technological innovation are the two channels for DF to promote the enterprises' EGS. This study not only advances the understanding of the economic effects of DF but also implies the green transformation of China's exports.
Keywords: Digital finance; Export green-sophistication; Financing constraints; Green technological innovation.
© 2023. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer-Verlag GmbH Germany, part of Springer Nature.