Share:


The impact of epidemics on green innovation: global analysis

    Xin-Xin Zhao Affiliation
    ; Jie Ma Affiliation
    ; Jun Wen Affiliation
    ; Chun-Ping Chang Affiliation

Abstract

Epidemics and their resulting pandemics have become essential factors influencing economic development, financial stability, poverty, and ultimately a country’s innovation level, including green technology innovation. This research thus investigates epidemic events’ correlation to green innovation by operating with skewed panel data involving 134 countries from 1971 to 2018 and provides compelling proof that Epidemics have a detrimental effect on green innovation, not only for the current year but also for the next six years. We also show that the quality of institutions and financial development levels weaken epidemics’ detrimental effects on green innovation. Overall, the findings would draw particular attention from policymakers.


First published online 17 April 2023

Keyword : epidemics, green innovation, institutional quality, financial development

How to Cite
Zhao, X.-X., Ma, J., Wen, J., & Chang, C.-P. (2024). The impact of epidemics on green innovation: global analysis. Technological and Economic Development of Economy, 30(1), 22–45. https://doi.org/10.3846/tede.2023.18677
Published in Issue
Jan 4, 2024
Abstract Views
1719
PDF Downloads
1153
Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

References

Acemoglu, D., Naidu, S., Restrepo, P., & Robinson, J. A. (2019). Democracy does cause growth. Journal of Political Economy, 127(1), 47–100. https://doi.org/10.1086/700936

Adda, J. (2016). Economic activity and the spread of viral diseases: Evidence from high frequency data. The Quarterly Journal of Economics, 131(2), 891–941. https://doi.org/10.1093/qje/qjw005

Afesorgbor, S. K. (2019). The impact of economic sanctions on international trade: How do threatened sanctions compare with imposed sanctions? European Journal of Political Economy, 56, 11–26. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejpoleco.2018.06.002

Agarwal, R., & Gaule, P. (2022). What drives innovation? Lessons from COVID-19 R&D. Journal of Health Economics, 82, 102591. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhealeco.2022.102591

Alfani, G., & Percoco, M. (2019). Plague and long-term development: The lasting effects of the 1629–30 epidemic on the Italian cities. The Economic History Review, 72(4), 1175–1201. https://doi.org/10.1111/ehr.12652

Ali, M., Alam, N., & Rizvi, S. A. R. (2020). Coronavirus (COVID-19) – An epidemic or pandemic for financial markets. Journal of Behavioral and Experimental Finance, 27, 100341. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbef.2020.100341

Almond, D. (2006). Is the 1918 influenza pandemic over? Long-term effects of in utero influenza exposure in the post-1940 US population. Journal of Political Economy, 114(4), 672–712. https://doi.org/10.1086/507154

Alon, T., Doepke, M., Olmstead-Rumsey, J., & Tertilt, M. (2020). The impact of COVID-19 on gender equality (Working Paper No. 26947). National Bureau of Economic Research. https://doi.org/10.3386/w26947

Ambrus, A., Field, E., & Gonzalez, R. (2020). Loss in the time of cholera: Long-run impact of a disease epidemic on the urban landscape. American Economic Review, 110(2), 475–525. https://doi.org/10.1257/aer.20190759

Asare, P., & Barfi, R. (2021). The impact of Covid-19 pandemic on the global economy: Emphasis on poverty alleviation and economic growth. The Economics and Finance Letters, 8(1), 32–43. https://doi.org/10.18488/journal.29.2021.81.32.43

Asimakopoulos, S., & Karavias, Y. (2016). The impact of government size on economic growth: A threshold analysis. Economics Letters, 139, 65–68. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.econlet.2015.12.010

Bai, J. (2009). Panel data models with interactive fixed effects. Econometrica, 77(4), 1229–1279. https://doi.org/10.3982/ECTA6135

Baruník, J., & Křehlík, T. (2018). Measuring the frequency dynamics of financial connectedness and systemic risk. Journal of Financial Econometrics, 16(2), 271–296. https://doi.org/10.1093/jjfinec/nby001

Beach, B., Ferrie, J. P., & Saavedra, M. H. (2018). Fetal shock or selection? The 1918 influenza pandemic and human capital development (Working Paper No. 24725). National Bureau of Economic Research. https://doi.org/10.3386/w24725

Bhattacharya, P., & Rath, B. N. (2020). Innovation and firm-level labour productivity: A comparison of Chinese and Indian manufacturing based on enterprise surveys. Science, Technology and Society, 25(3), 465–481. https://doi.org/10.1177/0971721820912902

Bjørnskov, C. (2008). Social trust and fractionalization: A possible reinterpretation. European Sociological Review, 24(3), 271–283. https://doi.org/10.1093/esr/jcn004

Bloom, D. E., Kuhn, M., & Prettner, K. (2020). Modern infectious diseases: Macroeconomic impacts and policy responses (Working Paper No. 27757). National Bureau of Economic Research. https://doi.org/10.3386/w27757

Bond, S. R., Hoeffler, A., & Temple, J. R. W. (2001). GMM estimation of empirical growth models. CEPR Discussion Papers, 159(1), 99–115.

Brainerd, E., & Siegler, M. V. (2003). The economic effects of the 1918 influenza epidemic. SSRN 394606.

Chang, C. H. (2011). The influence of corporate environmental ethics on competitive advantage: The mediation role of green innovation. Journal of Business Ethics, 104(3), 361–370. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10551-011-0914-x

Chen, Y. E., Li, C. Y, Chang, C. P., & Zheng, M. B. (2021). Identifying the influence of natural disasters on technological innovation. Economic Analysis and Policy, 70, 22–36. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eap.2021.01.016

Desbordes, R., & Wei, S. J. (2017). The effects of financial development on foreign direct investment. Journal of Development Economics, 127, 153–168. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdeveco.2017.02.008

Dixon, S., McDonald, S., & Roberts, J. (2001). AIDS and economic growth in Africa: A panel data analysis. Journal of International Development, 13(4), 411–426. https://doi.org/10.1002/jid.795

Donadelli, M., Kizys, R., & Riedel, M. (2017). Dangerous infectious diseases: Bad news for Main Street, good news for Wall Street? Journal of Financial Markets, 35, 84–103. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.finmar.2016.12.003

Fariss, C. J. (2014). Respect for human rights has improved over time: Modeling the changing standard of accountability. American Political Science Review, 108(2), 297–318. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0003055414000070

Feng, G. F., & Zheng, M. (2022). Economic policy uncertainty and renewable energy innovation: International evidence. Innovation and Green Development, 1(2), 100010. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.igd.2022.100010

Fu, Q., Gong, Q., Zhao, X. X., & Chang, C. P. (2023). The effects of international sanctions on green innovations. Technological and Economic Development of Economy, 29(1), 141–164. https://doi.org/10.3846/tede.2022.17782

Galbraith, J. W., & Tkacz, G. (2013). Analyzing economic effects of September 11 and other extreme events using debit and payments system data. Canadian Public Policy, 39(1), 119–134. https://doi.org/10.3138/CPP.39.1.119

Goel, R. K., Saunoris, J. W., & Goel, S. S. (2021). Supply chain performance and economic growth: The impact of COVID-19 disruptions. Journal of Policy Modeling, 43(2), 298–316. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpolmod.2021.01.003

Goodell, J. W. (2020). COVID-19 and finance: Agendas for future research. Finance Research Letters, 35, 101512. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.frl.2020.101512

Haacker, M. (2004) The impact of HIV/AIDS on government finance and public services. In The Macroeconomics of HIV/AIDS (pp. 198–258). International Monetary Fund. https://doi.org/10.5089/9781589063600.071

Han, H., & Qian, Y. (2020). Did enterprises’ innovation ability increase during the COVID-19 pandemic? Evidence from Chinese listed companies. Asian Economics Letters, 1(3), 18072. https://doi.org/10.46557/001c.18072

He, H., & Harris, L. (2020). The impact of Covid-19 pandemic on corporate social responsibility and marketing philosophy. Journal of Business Research, 116, 176–182. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbusres.2020.05.030

Herath, S. (2012). Size of government and economic growth: A non-linear analysis. Economic Annals, 57(194), 7–30. https://doi.org/10.2298/EKA1294007H

Ho, C. Y., Huang, S., Shi, H., & Wu, J. (2018). Financial deepening and innovation: The role of political institutions. World Development, 109, 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2018.02.022

Hsu, P. H., Tian, X., & Xu, Y. (2014). Financial development and innovation: Cross-country evidence. Journal of Financial Economics, 112(1), 116–135. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfineco.2013.12.002

Huber, C., Finelli, L., & Stevens, W. (2018). The economic and social burden of the 2014 Ebola outbreak in West Africa. The Journal of Infectious Diseases, 218(5), S698–S704. https://doi.org/10.1093/infdis/jiy213

Ichev, R., & Marinč, M. (2018). Stock prices and geographic proximity of information: Evidence from the Ebola outbreak. International Review of Financial Analysis, 56, 153–166. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.irfa.2017.12.004

Kale, S., & Rath, B. N. (2019). Does innovation enhance productivity in case of selected Indian manufacturing firms? The Singapore Economic Review, 64(05), 1225–1250. https://doi.org/10.1142/S0217590818500340

Kellenberg, D. K., & Mobarak, A. M. (2008). Does rising income increase or decrease damage risk from natural disasters? Journal of Urban Economics, 63(3), 788–802. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jue.2007.05.003

Keogh-Brown, M. R., & Smith, R. D. (2008). The economic impact of SARS: How does the reality match the predictions? Health Policy, 88(1), 110–120. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.healthpol.2008.03.003

Khan, I., Shah, D., & Shah, S. S. (2021). COVID-19 pandemic and its positive impacts on environment: An updated review. International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 18, 521–530. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13762-020-03021-3

Kiviet, J. F. (1995). On bias, inconsistency, and efficiency of various estimators in dynamic panel data models. Journal of Econometrics, 68(1), 53–78. https://doi.org/10.1016/0304-4076(94)01643-E

Kletzer, K., & Bardhan, P. (1987). Credit markets and patterns of international trade. Journal of Development Economics, 27(1–2), 57–70. https://doi.org/10.1016/0304-3878(87)90006-X

Lagoarde-Segot, T., & Leoni, P. L. (2013). Pandemics of the poor and banking stability. Journal of Banking & Finance, 37(11), 4574–4583. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jbankfin.2013.04.004

Li, D., Zhao, Y., Zhang, L., Chen, X., & Cao, C. (2018). Impact of quality management on green innovation. Journal of Cleaner Production, 170, 462–470. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2017.09.158

Li, W., Chien, F., Kamran, H. W., Aldeehani, T. M., Sadiq, M., Nguyen, V. C., & Taghizadeh-Hesary, F. (2022). The nexus between COVID-19 fear and stock market volatility. Economic Research-Ekonomska Istraživanja, 35(1) 1765–1785. https://doi.org/10.1080/1331677X.2021.1914125

Mahal, A., & Rao, B. (2005). HIV/AIDS epidemic in India: An economic perspective. Indian Journal of Medical Research, 121(4), 582–600.

Marino, M., Lhuillery, S., Parrotta, P., & Sala, D. (2016). Additionality or crowding-out? An overall evaluation of public R&D subsidy on private R&D expenditure. Research Policy, 45(9), 1715–1730. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.respol.2016.04.009

Martin, A., Markhvida, M., Hallegatte, S., & Walsh, B. (2020). Socio-economic impacts of COVID-19 on household consumption and poverty. Economics of Disasters and Climate Change, 4(3), 453–479. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41885-020-00070-3

McMullen, J. S., Bagby, D. R., & Palich, L. E. (2008). Economic freedom and the motivation to engage in entrepreneurial action. Entrepreneurship Theory and Practice, 32(5), 875–895. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1540-6520.2008.00260.x

Mohler, G., Bertozzi, A. L., Carter, J., Short, M. B., Sledge, D., Tita, G. E., Uchida, C. D., & Brantingham, P. J. (2020). Impact of social distancing during COVID-19 pandemic on crime in Los Angeles and Indianapolis. Journal of Criminal Justice, 68, 101692. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jcrimjus.2020.101692

Muhammad, S., Long, X., & Salman, M. (2020). COVID-19 pandemic and environmental pollution: A blessing in disguise? Science of the Total Environment, 728, 138820. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138820

Nakada, L. Y. K., & Urban, R. C. (2020). COVID-19 pandemic: Impacts on the air quality during the partial lockdown in São Paulo state, Brazil. Science of the Total Environment, 730, 139087. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.139087

Noy, I. (2009). The macroeconomic consequences of disasters. Journal of Development Economics, 88(2), 221–231. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jdeveco.2008.02.005

Oravský, R., Tóth, P., & Bánociová, A. (2020). The ability of selected European countries to face the impending economic crisis caused by COVID-19 in the context of the global economic crisis of 2008. Journal of Risk and Financial Management, 13(8), 179. https://doi.org/10.3390/jrfm13080179

Peng, X. Y., Zou, X. Y., Zhao, X. X., & Chang, C. P. (2023). How does economic policy uncertainty affect green innovation? Technological and Economic Development of Economy, 29(1), 114–140. https://doi.org/10.3846/tede.2022.17760

Raihan, A., Pavel, M. I., Muhtasim, D. A., Farhana, S., Faruk, O., & Paul, A. (2023). The role of renewable energy use, technological innovation, and forest cover toward green development: Evidence from Indonesia. Innovation and Green Development, 2(1), 100035. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.igd.2023.100035

Rath, B. N., & Bhattacahrya, P. (2022). Does innovation outcome influence performance of Indian manufacturing firms? Buletin Ekonomi Moneter Dan Perbankan, 25, 85–102. https://doi.org/10.21098/bemp.v25i0.1824

Sadorsky, P. (2011). Financial development and energy consumption in Central and Eastern European frontier economies. Energy Policy, 39(2), 999–1006. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2010.11.034

Sampat, B. N., & Shadlen, K. C. (2021). The COVID-19 innovation system. Health Affairs, 40(3), 400–409. https://doi.org/10.1377/hlthaff.2020.02097

Seenaiah, K., & Rath, B. N. (2018). Determinants of innovation in selected manufacturing firms in India: Role of R&D and exports. Science, Technology and Society, 23(1), 65–84. https://doi.org/10.1177/0971721817744445

Serafini, G., Parmigiani, B., Amerio, A., Aguglia, A., Sher, L., & Amore, M. (2020). The psychological impact of COVID-19 on the mental health in the general population. QJM: An International Journal of Medicine, 113(8), 531–537. https://doi.org/10.1093/qjmed/hcaa201

Shahzad, F., Yannan, D., Kamran, H. W., Suksatan, W., Nik Hashim, N. A. A., & Razzaq, A. (2022). Outbreak of epidemic diseases and stock returns: an event study of emerging economy. Economic Research-Ekonomska Istraživanja, 35(1), 2313–2332. https://doi.org/10.1080/1331677X.2021.1941179

Singh, S. K., Del Giudice, M., Chierici, R., & Graziano, D. (2020). Green innovation and environmental performance: The role of green transformational leadership and green human resource management. Technological Forecasting and Social Change, 150, 119762. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2019.119762

Skoufias, E. (2003). Economic crises and natural disasters: Coping strategies and policy implications. World Development, 31(7), 1087–1102. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0305-750X(03)00069-X

Sun, H., Edziah, B. K., Sun, C., & Kporsu, A. K. (2019). Institutional quality, green innovation and energy efficiency. Energy Policy, 135, 111002. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enpol.2019.111002

Thomas, M. S., & Rogers, C. (2020). Education, the science of learning, and the COVID-19 crisis. Prospects, 49, 87–90. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11125-020-09468-z

Umar, M., Xu, Y., & Mirza, S. S. (2021). The impact of Covid-19 on Gig economy. Economic Research-Ekonomska Istraživanja, 34(1), 2284–2296. https://doi.org/10.1080/1331677X.2020.1862688

Van Beveren, I., & Vandenbussche, H. (2010). Product and process innovation and firms’ decision to export. Journal of Economic Policy Reform, 13(1), 3–24. https://doi.org/10.1080/17487870903546267

Verikios, G., McCaw, J. M., McVernon, J., & Harris, A. H. (2012). H1N1 influenza and the Australian macroeconomy. Journal of the Asia Pacific Economy, 17(1), 22–51. https://doi.org/10.1080/13547860.2012.639999

Wang, N., Cui, D., & Dong, Y. (2023). Study on the impact of business environment on private enterprises’ technological innovation from the perspective of transaction cost. Innovation and Green Development, 2(1), 100034. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.igd.2023.100034

Wei, P., Jin, C., & Xu, C. (2021). The influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on the imports and exports in China, Japan, and South Korea. Frontiers in Public Health, 9. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2021.682693

Wen, J., Zhao, X. X., & Chang, C. P. (2021). The impact of extreme events on energy price risk. Energy Economics, 99, 105308. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eneco.2021.105308

White, H., Kim, T. H., & Manganelli, S. (2015). VAR for VaR: Measuring tail dependence using multivariate regression quantiles. Journal of Econometrics, 187(1), 169–188. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jeconom.2015.02.004

Xiong, J., Lipsitz, O., Nasri, F., Lui, L. M., Gill, H., Phan, L., Chen-Li, D., Iacobucci, M., Ho, R., Majeed, A., & McIntyre, R. S. (2020). Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on mental health in the general population: A systematic review. Journal of Affective Disorders, 277, 55–64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jad.2020.08.001

Yang, H. C., Feng, G. F., Zhao, X. X., & Chang, C. P. (2022). The impacts of energy insecurity on green innovation: A multi-country study. Economic Analysis and Policy, 74, 139–154. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eap.2022.01.017

Yin, H.-T., Chang, C.-P., & Wang, H. (2022). The impact of monetary policy on green innovation: Global evidence. Technological and Economic Development of Economy, 28(6), 1933–1953. https://doi.org/10.3846/tede.2022.17020

Yu, Z., Xiao, Y., & Li, Y. (2020). The response of the labor force participation rate to an epidemic: Evidence from a cross-country analysis. Emerging Markets Finance and Trade, 56(10), 2390–2407. https://doi.org/10.1080/1540496X.2020.1787149

Yuan, L., & Jinhua, M. (2022). Evolution of epidemic control from the perspective of finance: Based on the historical dimension. Journal of Finance and Economics, 48(06), 49–63.

Zeng, B., Carter, R. B., & De Lacy, T. (2005). The impact of short-term crises on tourism: SARS epidemic in China. Journal of Guilin Institute of Tourism, 16(2), 30–39.

Zhang, X., Gozgor, G., Lu, Z., & Zhang, J. (2021). Employment hysteresis in the United States during the COVID-19 pandemic. Economic Research-Ekonomska Istraživanja, 34(1), 3343–3354. https://doi.org/10.1080/1331677X.2021.1875253

Zhao, X. X., & Deng, P. D. (2021). Impacts of epidemics on energy security: An empirical analysis. Energy Research Letters, 2(2), 25721. https://doi.org/10.46557/001c.25721

Zheng, M., Feng, G.-F., Jiang, R.-A., & Chang, C.-P. (2022). Does environmental, social, and governance performance move together with corporate green innovation in China? Business Strategy and the Environment, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.1002/bse.3211

Zheng, M., Feng, G. F., Wen, J., & Chang, C. P. (2020). The influence of FDI on domestic innovation: An investigation using structural breaks. Prague Economic Papers, 29(4), 403–423. https://doi.org/10.18267/j.pep.73