biostudies-literatureYao JJExcellent Youth Backbone Teachers of "Qinglan Project" in Colleges and Universities in Jiangsu ProvinceNational Social Science Fund Youth Project of ChinaNational Natural Science Fund Youth Project of ChinaKey Project of Philosophy and Social Science Research in Colleges and Universities in Jiangsu Province21909https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC9763416biostudies-literatureUnknown12(1)Based on the data of A-share listed companies in China from 2016 to 2020, this study empirically analyzes the relationship among corporate social responsibility, debt financing cost and enterprise innovation by constructing a regulated mediation effect model. The results show that enterprises perform social responsibility actively can enhance the level of enterprise innovation. Besides, debt financing cost plays a part of the intermediary role between corporate social responsibility and enterprise innovation. It is found that market competition degree positively regulates the relationship between corporate social responsibility and enterprise innovation, and market competition degree strengthens the part of the intermediary effect of debt financing cost. The conclusions not only help to reveal the impact mechanism of corporate social responsibility on enterprise innovation, but also provide empirical evidence for promoting enterprises to actively assume social responsibility, improve the level of innovation, and provide empirical evidence for the government to formulate corresponding policies according to the degree of competition in different markets.Scientific reportsCorporate social responsibility, debt financing cost and enterprise innovation.PMC97634162021SJZDA13921CJY4071701082Yao JJQi YAGuo BfalseCorporate social responsibility, debt financing cost and enterprise innovation.Based on the data of A-share listed companies in China from 2016 to 2020, this study empirically analyzes the relationship among corporate social responsibility, debt financing cost and enterprise innovation by constructing a regulated mediation effect model. The results show that enterprises perform social responsibility actively can enhance the level of enterprise innovation. Besides, debt financing cost plays a part of the intermediary role between corporate social responsibility and enterprise innovation. It is found that market competition degree positively regulates the relationship between corporate social responsibility and enterprise innovation, and market competition degree strengthens the part of the intermediary effect of debt financing cost. The conclusions not only help to reveal the impact mechanism of corporate social responsibility on enterprise innovation, but also provide empirical evidence for promoting enterprises to actively assume social responsibility, improve the level of innovation, and provide empirical evidence for the government to formulate corresponding policies according to the degree of competition in different markets.2022-01-01T00:00:00Z2022 Dec2025-04-04T19:49:27.19Z2025-04-04T19:49:27.19ZS-EPMC97634163653596610.1038/s41598-022-26076-3