The Effect of New Quality Productivity Technological Innovation on ESG Performance: The Moderating Role of Human-AI Collaboration

This study investigates the relationship between new quality productivity technological innovation and environmental, social, and governance (ESG) performance in Chinese listed companies, with a specific focus on how human-AI collaboration moderates this relationship. Using panel data from 11,500 firm-year observations collected from CNRDS and CSMAR databases spanning from 2012 to 2022, we employ fixed-effects models to examine these relationships. Our findings reveal that technological innovation positively influences ESG performance, and this relationship is significantly strengthened when firms effectively implement human-AI collaborative frameworks. The positive moderating effect is particularly pronounced in the environmental and social dimensions of ESG. Additionally, our further analysis through mechanism tests suggests that this enhancement occurs through improved operational efficiency, increased information transparency, and enhanced decision-making processes. Heterogeneity analysis indicates that the effect varies across firm ownership types, industry classifications, and firm sizes. Our findings contribute to the literature on technology-driven sustainability and provide practical implications for managers seeking to leverage technological innovation and human-AI synergies to enhance corporate sustainability performance.