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Does digital transformation matter for corporate risk-taking?

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  • Tian, Guangning
  • Li, Bo
  • Cheng, Yue

Abstract

This paper investigates how the digital transformation of firms affects their risk-taking in China. By using a panel of Chinese listed companies from 2007 to 2020, we find that digital transformation has a significant positive effect on corporate risk-taking. Furthermore, we show that digital transformation promotes corporate risk-taking by improving firms’ operating flexibility and financing availability. Besides, the effect is more pronounced for non-state-owned firms and the firms operating in developed regions. Our findings provide insights on how digital transformation shapes corporate policies and supplement the existing literature in the determinants of corporate risk-taking.

Suggested Citation

  • Tian, Guangning & Li, Bo & Cheng, Yue, 2022. "Does digital transformation matter for corporate risk-taking?," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 49(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finlet:v:49:y:2022:i:c:s1544612322003312
    DOI: 10.1016/j.frl.2022.103107
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    Cited by:

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    2. Mu, Weiwei & Liu, Kefu & Tao, Yunqing & Ye, Yongwei, 2023. "Digital finance and corporate ESG," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 51(C).
    3. Changling Sun & Zixi Zhang & Marek Vochozka & Iveta Vozòáková, 2022. "Enterprise digital transformation and debt financing cost in China’s A-share listed companies," Oeconomia Copernicana, Institute of Economic Research, vol. 13(3), pages 783-829, September.
    4. Chen, Yufeng & Xu, Jing, 2023. "Digital transformation and firm cost stickiness: Evidence from China," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 52(C).
    5. Changling Sun & Ziang Lin & Marek Vochozka & Zuzana Vincúrová, 2022. "Digital transformation and corporate cash holdings in China’s A-share listed companies," Oeconomia Copernicana, Institute of Economic Research, vol. 13(4), pages 1081-1116, December.
    6. Wu, Kai & Lu, Yufei, 2023. "Corporate digital transformation and financialization: Evidence from Chinese listed firms," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 57(C).
    7. Sun, Guanglin & Li, Ting & Ai, Yongfang & Li, Qinghai, 2023. "Digital finance and corporate financial fraud," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 87(C).
    8. Wang, Weiwei & Gao, Pengpeng & Wang, Jiahaoran, 2023. "Nexus among digital inclusive finance and carbon neutrality: Evidence from company-level panel data analysis," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).
    9. El Ghoul, Sadok & Fu, Zhengwei & Guedhami, Omrane & Saadi, Samir, 2023. "Firm inflexibility and the implied cost of equity," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 52(C).
    10. Niu, Yuhao & Wen, Wen & Wang, Sai & Li, Sifei, 2023. "Breaking barriers to innovation: The power of digital transformation," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 51(C).
    11. Luo, Yonggen & Cui, Huijie & Zhong, Huiyi & Wei, Changhua, 2023. "Business environment and enterprise digital transformation," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 57(C).
    12. Hua, Zesu & Yu, Yihua, 2023. "Digital transformation and the impact of local tournament incentives: Evidence from publicly listed companies in China," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 57(C).
    13. Niu, Yuhao & Wang, Sai & Wen, Wen & Li, Sifei, 2023. "Does digital transformation speed up dynamic capital structure adjustment? Evidence from China," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 79(C).
    14. Zhang, Ziqi & Su, Zhi & Tong, Fang, 2023. "Does digital transformation restrain corporate financialization? Evidence from China," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 56(C).
    15. Hu, Yan & Che, Dexin & Wu, Fei & Chang, Xi, 2023. "Corporate maturity mismatch and enterprise digital transformation: Evidence from China," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 53(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Digital transformation; Corporate risk-taking; Operating flexibility; Financing availability;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G31 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Capital Budgeting; Fixed Investment and Inventory Studies

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