Abstract: Green technological innovation is a critical driver of economic development and construction of a beautiful China. The influence of top executives on corporate green innovation has attracted growing attention. Based on the imprinting theory, personal experiences during sensitive periods can shape executives′ behavioral philosophies, risk preferences, and value judgments, leaving unique and enduring "imprints" that significantly and persistently affect their cognitive patterns and decision-making behaviors. Using the micro-level data from Chinese listed companies between 2010 and 2022, this study leveraged the unique context of the onechild policy to empirically examine the effects of social and technical imprints on the green innovation decisions of female executives. We found that: (1) The social imprint derived from the one-child upbringing significantly enhances female executives′ willingness to pursue green innovation, especially in terms of green invention patent applications. It suggests that a more gender-equal environment fosters more optimistic attitudes and risk tolerance among female executives, encouraging a proactive approach to green innovation. (2) Furthermore, technical experiences reinforce their innovative spirit and promote their engagement in green innovation activities. (3) The heterogeneity analysis confirmed the influence of regional gender norms, providing further validation for the study′s conclusions. This research will enrich the literature on corporate green innovation, confirm the shaping effects of social and technical imprints on female executives′ cognition and behavior, and offer practical insights for advancing green innovation in enterprises.

Key words: female executive, social imprint, technical imprint, corporate green innovation