Top Management Teams and the Digital Transformation Innovation Performance Relationship
DOI: https://doi.org/10.65967/cpbo.v2i3.76
Digital Transformation, Digital Technology, Digital Process, Innovation Performance, Digital Strategic Cognition
Abstract
This study examines the impact of digital transformation on enterprise innovation performance and investigates the moderating roles of digital strategic cognition and digital leadership from the perspective of top management teams. Data were collected through a questionnaire survey of Chinese manufacturing enterprises, resulting in 223 valid responses. A theoretical model was developed and empirically tested, with digital transformation as the independent variable, innovation performance as the dependent variable, and digital strategic cognition and digital leadership as moderating variables. Digital transformation was measured through two dimensions: digital technology and digital process. The results indicate that digital transformation significantly enhances innovation performance. Both digital technology and digital process positively contribute to innovation outcomes, although digital process demonstrates a stronger effect. Furthermore, digital strategic cognition positively moderates the relationship between digital process and innovation performance, while its moderating effect on the relationship between digital technology and innovation performance is not significant. In addition, digital leadership positively strengthens the effects of both digital technology and digital process on innovation performance. These findings highlight the importance of combining technological investments with managerial capabilities to maximize innovation outcomes. This study contributes to the literature by extending the understanding of how digital transformation influences innovation performance through the roles of managerial cognition and leadership. It also distinguishes between digital technology and digital process as separate dimensions of digital transformation and demonstrates their different relationships with innovation performance. The findings provide practical implications for manufacturing firms seeking to improve innovation capability and sustain competitiveness in an increasingly digital business environment.
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