Abstract: Taking China’s A-share manufacturing listed companies in 2010-2020 as research samples, this paper explores the micro-effect of enterprise digitalization enabling green process innovation. In order to better alleviate the endogenous problem, this paper introduces machine learning technology on the basis of the traditional causal identification model, and integrates the thinking mode of machine learning with the classical methods of economics, so as to improve the accuracy of causal inference. The research shows that the improvement of digital level of manufacturing enterprises has a positive driving effect on green process innovation, and this effect is still significant after a series of endogenous and robust tests. In the meantime, the influence effect of digitalization empowering green process innovation shows certain heterogeneity under the differences of enterprise life cycle, ownership and network centrality. Specifically, the impact of digitalization empowering green process innovation is more significant for state-owned enterprises, growth-stage enterprises, and enterprises in the center of the network. The above analysis expands the research scope rooted in the natural resource-based view and provides a new micro-explanation for understanding the potential decision-making motivation and driving mechanism in the process of green innovation.

Key words: green process innovation, digitalization, machine learning, causal inference