Enterprises’ energy-saving capability: Empirical study from a dynamic capability perspective

As major energy consumers, enterprises play an important role in saving energy. Based on dynamic capability theory, this study proposes the concept of enterprise energy-saving capability and identifies its three dimensions: sensing energy-saving opportunities, seizing energy-saving opportunities, and reconfiguring resources. The factors affecting energy-saving capability are explored as well. This study also explores the effect of energy-saving capability on enterprises' competitive advantage and considers the moderating role of the business environmental factors. Data are collected using questionnaire surveys, and partial least squares method is used for analysis. The results show that slack resources, absorptive capacity, command-and-control instruments, and normative pressure positively affect enterprises’ energy-saving capability. Incentive instruments and mimetic pressure have no significant effect. In addition, environmental competitiveness positively moderates the relationship between energy-saving capability and competitive advantage.