Firm-level digital transformation affects individual-level innovative behavior: Evidence from manufacturing firms in China

• Xiaomin Zhao

  University of Electronic Science and Technology of China

• Yunqing Liu

  School of Management and Economics, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, and Institute of Finance and Public Management, Anhui University of Finance and Economics

• Yu Xie

  Chongqing Technology and Business University

• Jianchang Fan

  Nanjing University of Finance and Economics

Digital technologies significantly impact on manufacturing firms as they innovate their business processes in response to rapidly changing environments. Therefore, the proper use of digital technology to promote innovative behavior has become an important topic in research. However, few studies have examined how firm-level digital transformation affects individual-level innovative behavior. Drawing on the minority dissent perspective, we explored the mechanism by which digital transformation affects innovative behavior. Surveying 540 participants from Chinese manufacturing firms revealed that firm-level digital transformation was significantly correlated with both cross-functional minority dissent and individual-level innovative behavior. Moreover, minority dissent played a partial mediating role in the relationship between digital transformation and innovative behavior. This study sheds new light on how firm-level digital transformation can determine individual-level innovative behavior.

1. Xiaomin Zhao, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China
   School of Management and Economics
2. Yu Xie, Chongqing Technology and Business University
   School of Management
3. Jianchang Fan, Nanjing University of Finance and Economics
   School of Marketing and Logistics Management
   

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