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Benefits of Top Management Team Education for Corporate Digital Transformation: A Critical Mass Perspective from China

Author

Listed:
  • Mirza, Sultan Sikandar
  • Miao, Yiyao
  • Corbet, Shaen
  • Scrimgeour, Frank
  • Goodell, John W.

Abstract

We examine how the academic background of Top Management Teams (TMT) affects corporate digital transformation (CDT). Utilising a sample of listed firms in China for 2007–2022, we test for the influence of the critical mass and range of TMT members. Our results add to the existing body of knowledge by demonstrating a relationship between the academic background of TMT and CDT. Findings suggest that TMT is a significant facilitator of digital transformation, contingent upon the specific academic backgrounds that TMT members possess. Findings suggest that the strategic appointment of TMT members with specific academic backgrounds can significantly digital transformation.

Suggested Citation

  • Mirza, Sultan Sikandar & Miao, Yiyao & Corbet, Shaen & Scrimgeour, Frank & Goodell, John W., 2024. "Benefits of Top Management Team Education for Corporate Digital Transformation: A Critical Mass Perspective from China," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 61(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:finlet:v:61:y:2024:i:c:s1544612324000060
    DOI: 10.1016/j.frl.2024.104976
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    8. Sara Saggese & Fabrizia Sarto & Riccardo Viganò, 2021. "Do women directors contribute to R&D? The role of critical mass and expert power," Journal of Management & Governance, Springer;Accademia Italiana di Economia Aziendale (AIDEA), vol. 25(2), pages 593-623, June.
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    11. Chai Bin Feng & Sultan Sikandar Mirza & Tanveer Ahsan & Ammar Ali Gull, 2022. "The impact of financial flexibility and directors’ academic experience on corporate R&D investments: a quantile regression approach," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 54(17), pages 1974-1988, April.
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    Cited by:

    1. Zhang, Qiang & Lou, Mingyu, 2025. "Executive team faultlines, business diversification, and corporate substantive innovation," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 103(C).
    2. Yi Jin & Chuxin Chen & Bo Liu, 2024. "Benefits of managerial overconfidence for corporate digital transformation: Evidence from China," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 19(11), pages 1-18, November.
    3. Jie Liang & Mengfan Wang, 2024. "Executive Social Connection, Regional Digital Economy Development, and Enterprise Digital Transformation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(15), pages 1-20, July.
    4. Qin Yang & Shanyue Jin, 2024. "Exploring the Impact of Digital Transformation on Manufacturing Environment, Social Responsibility, and Corporate Governance Performance: The Moderating Role of Top Management Teams," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(11), pages 1-22, May.
    5. Sultan Sikandar Mirza & Fan Zheng Yi & Frank Scrimgeour & Shaen Corbet, 2025. "Green finance and technological innovation: enhancing carbon emission control in China," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 30(6), pages 1-27, August.
    6. Rabia Akram & Xiaojing Shi & Fahad Khalid & Mohit Srivastava, 2025. "Artificial Intelligence (AI) Adoption and Green Investment: Driving Corporate Environmental Responsibility," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 34(7), pages 9188-9202, November.
    7. Wenbing Luo & Yuxin Yu & Mingjun Deng, 2026. "The Impact of Digital Transformation on Corporate Cost Stickiness: Evidence From China's Agriculture‐Related Listed Companies," International Journal of Finance & Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 31(2), pages 2063-2081, April.
    8. Jiang Xiao Li & Stavros Sindakis & Saloome Showkat, 2025. "Chain Shareholders and Enterprises Digital Transformation: Empirical Evidence from Listed Companies in China," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 16(2), pages 7281-7324, June.
    9. Yu Sang & Kannan Loganathan & Lu Lin, 2024. "Digital Transformation and Firm ESG Performance: The Mediating Role of Corporate Risk-Taking and the Moderating Role of Top Management Team," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(14), pages 1-18, July.
    10. Osama Wagdi & Atef Fathi, 2024. "The impact of top management team members diversity on corporations’ performance and value: evidence from emerging markets," Future Business Journal, Springer, vol. 10(1), pages 1-26, December.

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    JEL classification:

    • C23 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Models with Panel Data; Spatio-temporal Models
    • G30 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - General
    • J16 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Demographic Economics - - - Economics of Gender; Non-labor Discrimination
    • M15 - Business Administration and Business Economics; Marketing; Accounting; Personnel Economics - - Business Administration - - - IT Management

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