Industrial Intelligence and Urban Air Pollution Control in China: Empirical Evidence from the Application of Industrial Robots

Abstract

Abstract: Based on industrial robot application data from the International Federation of Robotics (IFR) and the global PM_2.5 emissions concentration data provided by Atmospheric Composition Analysis Group (ACAG), we study the influence of industrial intelligence on air pollution control in China's cities by using bidirectional fixed effects model, 2SLS, spatial econometric model and so on. We find that industrial robot application significantly reduces the level of China's urban air pollution. This effect is more obvious in cities with higher-level financial development, lower-level financial support, higher level information infrastructure construction and smart city pilot demonstration. Moreover, there is obvious heterogeneity in geographical location characteristics. At the same time, the above effect is mainly achieved through the transformation and upgrading of urban industrial structure, and the improvement of scientific and technological level. Based on the spatial spillover effect analysis of SAR and SDM models, it is also found that the pollution reduction effect of urban industrial robot application has a two-way spatial spillover effect. Therefore, the geographical correlation of air pollution causes the pollution reduction effect to be underestimated.

Key words: industrial intelligence, air pollution, pollution reduction effect, spatial spillover effect

Li Hongbing, Zheng Qingbiao, Li Zhen, Sun Litang. Industrial Intelligence and Urban Air Pollution Control in China: Empirical Evidence from the Application of Industrial Robots[J]. Management Review, 2023, 35(9): 300-311.

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