International Journal of Environmental Technology and Management (10 papers in press)

Special Issue on: OA Ecological Economics and Climate Change Technology, Policy, and Management

• Open Access

  National image multimodal discourse construction and information organisation decision management under deep learning and IPE education ( Free Full-text Access )

  by Qikun Ao, Cheolju Mun, Fengyi Li, Baoying Zhou 
  Abstract: grating world cultures. They play an irreplaceable and essential role in helping learners form their cognition and identification with Chinas national image from the perspective of ideological and political education (IPE). Therefore, this paper examines the construction of a national image through multimodal symbols in Chinese Language Course (hereafter Chinese Language) and Chinese Listening, Speaking, Reading, and Writing (hereafter Chinese). The discourse characteristics of the two textbooks are compared to reflect the ideology and standpoint of their discourse subjects. Multimodal discourse analysis provides theoretical support. A combination of discourse studies and corpus methods is used to compare and analyse the construction of a national image by multimodal symbols in two textbooks from China and the USA. Its description of Chinese societys modernisation and contemporary Chinese spiritual outlook is timely.
  Keywords: digital technology; national image; multimodality; discourse construction; information management; ideological and political education; IPE.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJETM.2026.10080741
   
  

• Open Access

  An empirical study on the masking effect of financing constraints on green preferences ( Free Full-text Access )

  by Zheyu Guo, Yulin Li, Baochuan Hou 
  Abstract: To explore the impact mechanism of financing constraints on corporate green preference (GP) and its behavioural economics underlying logic, this study utilises data from Chinese A-share listed companies spanning 20132022 to construct a masking effect analysis framework, and employs artificial intelligence (AI)-driven text analysis, two-way fixed-effects models, and bootstrap mediation effect tests for empirical investigation. This positive transmission pathway offsets part of the negative direct effect, thereby exhibiting the characteristics of a behavioural masking effect. The cognitive reshaping mechanism test shows that improvements in information processing ability and the correction of cognitive biases (CB) constitute the main negative transmission path, while updates in green cognition (GC) play a positive compensatory role, with the total indirect effect being 0.0319. This study reveals the nonlinear behavioural mechanism through which financing constraints influence GP, providing empirical evidence for the behavioural economics explanation of green transformation in the context of the digital economy.
  Keywords: financing constraints; green preference; masking effect; behavioural economics; empirical analysis; artificial intelligence.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJETM.2026.10080742
   
  

• Open Access

  The analysis of entrepreneurship for healthy development and organisational innovation in carbon neutrality green enterprises ( Free Full-text Access )

  by Feng Sun, Xiao Wang, Yingshan Fu 
  Abstract: The dual transitions of artificial intelligence and carbon neutrality present both opportunities and challenges for green enterprise development, while entrepreneurship plays a critical role in driving environmental technology innovation and organisational transformation. This paper investigates the impact mechanisms of entrepreneurial spirit on green enterprise healthy development and organisational innovation in the AI and carbon neutrality era from an environmental management perspective. We construct a multi-dimensional theoretical framework covering green innovation capability, environmental responsibility, digital transformation and organisational resilience dimensions. An empirical study was conducted with 342 green technology enterprises using structural equation modelling. This research provides scientific guidance for green enterprise management and environmental technology innovation strategy formulation in the carbon neutrality context.
  Keywords: carbon neutrality; entrepreneurship; sustainable and healthy development of enterprises; organisational innovation; linear regression analysis.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJETM.2026.10080792
   
  

• Open Access

  Textmusic cross-modal analysis of Dongting fishermens songs for cultural evolution ( Free Full-text Access )

  by Jun Liu, Yun Peng 
  Abstract: Traditional Dongting fishermens songs preserve rich regional cultural memory; however, quantitative evidence regarding their evolutionary patterns remains limited. To address this gap, this study proposes a cross-modal text-music analytical framework that integrates text mining techniques with music information retrieval (MIR) to examine both lyrical themes and melodic structures. Topic modelling is employed to identify key thematic dimensions, including labour, emotion and everyday life narratives, while MIR is used to extract musical features related to pitch, rhythm, and melody. Furthermore, cross-modal correlation modelling is conducted to reveal the co-evolutionary relationships between textual and musical characteristics. These findings establish a reproducible, data-driven analytical framework for investigating the evolutionary characteristics of intangible cultural heritage and provide methodological support for future digital humanities research.
  Keywords: Dongting fishermen’s songs; text mining; music information retrieval; MIR; cross-modal analysis; cultural evolution.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJETM.2026.10080793
   
  

Regular Issues

• Research on the impact of heterogeneous environmental regulation on the efficiency of green innovation in Chinas industry: a spatial spillover perspective  
  by Zhang Bo, Li Yi 
  Abstract: Using the slack-based measure (SBM) model incorporating undesirable outputs and the global Malmquist-Luenberger (GML) index, this study investigates the evolution of industrial green innovation efficiency (IGIE) across 30 provinces in China from 2003 to 2022. A spatial Durbin model is employed to examine the direct and spatial spillover effects of heterogeneous environmental regulations on IGIE. The results show that IGIE in China first accelerated and then stabilised, exhibiting a significant negative spatial spillover effect. Explicit environmental regulations command-and-control, market-based, and voluntary generally have a positive impact on IGIE. In contrast, the role of implicit environmental regulations, represented by wage levels, education, and population density, varies. Wage levels have a U-shaped relationship with local IGIE and an inverted U-shaped relationship with neighbouring regions. Education positively affects the IGIE of nearby regions, while high population density has a negative effect on local IGIE.
  Keywords: industrial green innovation efficiency; IGIE; explicit environmental regulation; implicit environmental regulation; spatial Durbin model; China.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJETM.2025.10074747
   
  
• Disposable products: how to fight false friends of the environment  
  by Madalena Valério, Jorge Vareda Gomes 
  Abstract: Single-use products, though designed for convenience, create significant environmental challenges due to their short lifecycles and persistent ecological impacts. This study examines their contribution to waste generation, pollution, and resource depletion in Portugal, providing strategies to mitigate these effects. The research evaluates sustainable practices, regulatory frameworks, and the potential of the circular economy, emphasising Portugals alignment with the European green deal and the UN sustainable development goals. Case studies such as the Inpactus project illustrate innovative progress in biodegradable materials, while the EU single-use plastics directive highlights the critical role of policy in driving change. Persistent barriers include low recycling rates, limited public engagement, and financial constraints faced by small and medium-sized enterprises. The findings emphasise the need for a comprehensive approach that combines technological innovation, public education, and cross-sector collaboration. The paper concludes with recommendations to strengthen partnerships, increase research investment, and enhance sustainability awareness positioning Portugal as a model for integrating environmental protection with economic development in the global reduction of single-use products.
  Keywords: environment; sustainability; disposable products; recycling; and circular economy.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJETM.2026.10076485
   
  
• The impact of carbon emission regulation on energy intelligence - based on mediating and moderating effect tests  
  by Mingran Wu 
  Abstract: Considering there is so few literatures on the topic of whether carbon emission regulatory policies can promote energy intelligence, this paper takes 108 prefecture-level cities from 2000 to 2022 as research samples and empirically studies the effect and mechanism of the impact by using intermediary and regulatory effect models. The result shows that carbon emission regulation has an optimal effect on energy intelligence and plays a mediating role through industrial upgrading and government intervention. Unfortunately, current carbon emission regulation of China is unable to effectively stimulate green innovation, and scientific and technology innovation does not effectively improve energy intelligence. Industrial agglomeration can exert an adjustment effect through industrial upgrading, scientific and technology innovation and government intervention. In addition, the level of industrialisation, openness and information development can have a positive effect, while the marketisation index has a negative effect. Based on these results, the research suggests further enhancing the intensity of carbon regulation and vigorously developing market incentives; moderating the development direction of scientific and technology innovation to highlight the construction of smart energy; completing the policy chain between industrial agglomeration and carbon emission; and continuing to deepen Chinas energy market reformation.
  Keywords: carbon emission regulation; energy intelligence; mediating effect; regulating effect; optimum point.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJETM.2026.10077183
   
  
• Assessment of plant community configuration in plateau wetland parks using AHP-FCE: a case study of Erhai Lake, China  
  by Xiongkun Nie, Zhang Li, Xia Yu, Yiran Luo 
  Abstract: Plateau wetland parks serve critical ecological and recreational roles, but systematic frameworks for evaluating their plant community configurations remain lacking. This study used an integrated analytic hierarchy process-fuzzy comprehensive evaluation (AHP-FCE) framework on four parks around Erhai Lake, Yunnan Province: Haishe, Erhai Moon, Haidong and Xiahewan. Fourteen indicators grouped into ecological, aesthetic and service functions were developed by ten domain experts through a two-round Delphi study. The evaluation assigned different weights for expert and tourist inputs. Field surveys revealed stark differences in species richness between western (Haishe and Erhai Moon) and eastern (Xiahewan and Haidong) parks. Composite scores placed Erhai Moon (75.05) first, then Haishe (73.08), Xiahewan (55.94) and Haidong (32.59). Robustness was validated with criterion-weight sensitivity analysis, bootstrap resampling and user-generated content (UGC)-based Spearman rank correlation. Ecological function primarily determined park quality, while service function was the weakest of the three. The study proposes targeted plant community optimisation for each park, including improvements in species diversity, structure, and educational infrastructure. The findings offer a replicable evaluation system and evidence-based management advice for the restoration of plateau wetland parks.
  Keywords: plateau wetland; wetland parks; plant community configuration; analytic hierarchy process-fuzzy comprehensive evaluation; AHP-FCE; Delphi method; Erhai Lake; China.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJETM.2026.10080270
   
  
• Unlocking green innovation through digital transformation: empirical evidence and mechanisms in Chinese enterprises  
  by Xinwen Lin, Yuze He, Angathevar Baskaran, Hongwei Li 
  Abstract: This paper evaluates digital transformations direct and indirect impacts on green innovation, covering data from Chinese-listed companies spanning 2012 to 2021. The results indicate that while the development of digital transformation among enterprises is relatively high, green innovation remains lower and has shown a downward trend during the pandemic. Meanwhile, their development levels are uneven across provinces. Importantly, our findings reveal that digital transformation can significantly promote green innovation. This positive impact varies significantly across size, ownership, and region. Furthermore, the paper employs a mediation model incorporating the instrumental variable approach to investigate the underlying mechanisms. The results confirm that R&D, ESG performance and financing constraints are significant mediating mechanisms through which digital transformation fosters green innovation. In enterprises with better corporate governance, reducing agency costs emerges as a crucial intermediary pathway for enhancing green innovation. The conclusions contribute to more scientific and practical decision-making references for enterprises and policymakers.
  Keywords: digital transformation; green innovation; intermediary path analysis; ESG; financing constraints; agency cost.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJETM.2026.10080355
   
  
• Exploring internal and external drivers and consequences of ISO 14001 implementation in a Finnish service SME  
  by Rasindu Herath, Adeel Tariq, Waqas Tariq, Marko Torkkeli 
  Abstract: Environmental management system (EMS) implementation is an important tool in the manufacturing industry to deal with environmental challenges and gain several other benefits. However, literature on EMS implementation in the service industry is limited. Based on above, this research aims to understand the drivers, consequences, and best practices of EMS implementation in the service industry. This research relied on case study method to collect data, based on interviews with the key informant of a service-based SME that implemented EMS. Research findings highlight unique internal and external drivers, such as human resource development and improved societal values. By examining drivers, consequences, and implementation practices, study offers context-specific evidence implementation of ISO 14001 from the Finnish service industry and extends stakeholder-based perspectives on environmental management in SMEs. Managers can make informed decisions regarding the adoption and successful implementation of ISO 14001 by understanding its requirements, benefits, and challenges.
  Keywords: environmental management system; EMS; drivers; consequences; best practices; service industry.
  DOI: 10.1504/IJETM.2026.10080388