Does Fintech Strengthen Sustainable Competitiveness? Nonlinear Links between Environmental Globalization and Industrial Growth in China
Yanjun Zhang, Jiajia Xi, Gonghang Chen
Keywords:
Fintech, environmental globalization, sustainable competitiveness, industrial growth, China, nonlinear ARDL
Abstract:
Industrial growth is a central driver of economic development, but its contribution to sustainable competitiveness depends on whether expansion is supported by financial innovation, environmental integration, and technological capability. China has experienced rapid industrialization over recent decades; therefore, identifying the determinants of sustainable industrial growth is important for both economic and environmental policy. This study examines the asymmetric effects of financial technology and environmental globalization on industrial growth in China from 1995 to 2022. Industrial growth is used as the empirical channel through which sustainable competitiveness is assessed. Using linear ARDL and nonlinear ARDL frameworks, the study evaluates both symmetric and asymmetric relationships among financial technology, environmental globalization, technological capital, human capital, economic instability, and industrial growth. The symmetric results indicate that financial technology and environmental globalization promote long-run industrial growth. The asymmetric results show that positive changes in financial technology and environmental globalization support industrial growth, whereas negative changes weaken it. Overall, the findings suggest that fintech development, environmental globalization, technological capability, and human-capital upgrading can help strengthen sustainable competitiveness in China.
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 Does Fintech Strengthen Sustainable Competitiveness? Nonlinear Links between Environmental Globalization and Industrial Growth in China [PDF file] [Filesize: 480.86 KB]
 10.7441/joc.2026.SI.19
Zhang, Y., Xi, J., & Chen, G. (2026). Does Fintech Strengthen Sustainable Competitiveness? Nonlinear Links Between Environmental Globalization and Industrial Growth in China. Journal of Competitiveness, 18(SI 2), 222–238. https://doi.org/10.7441/joc.2026.SI.19
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