Against China’s dual-carbon goals, transforming environmental regulation into green innovation and a strong green image is critical for manufacturing firms’ sustainable competitiveness. Professor Xuemei XIE and her team at Tongji SEM have published a study in the Journal of Management Sciences in China, establishing a “environmental regulation–green innovation–green image” framework to reveal mechanisms and boundary conditions shaping corporate green identity.

Based on data from heavily polluting Chinese manufacturers (2014–2021), the research distinguishes command-and-control and market-based regulations, as well as green product, process, and organizational innovation. Results show both regulation types enhance green image: command-based policies more strongly boost government-perceived green image, while market-based measures better improve non-government perceptions, with non-linear effects. Green innovation mediates these relationships, while ethical leadership, environmental ethics culture, and green human capital amplify positive impacts. The findings offer theoretical and practical insights for advancing green transformation and dual-carbon objectives.

About Xuemei XIE

Professor Xuemei XIE is a Tenured Distinguished Professor at Tongji SEM, recipient of the National Outstanding Youth Science Fund, Shanghai Eastern Scholar, Shanghai Dawn Scholar, and Shanghai Pujiang Talent. She is listed among the World’s Top 2% Scientists and Elsevier’s Most Cited Chinese Researchers, with over 100 publications in leading journals. Her research focuses on green innovation, collaborative innovation, innovation ecosystems, and women’s entrepreneurship.