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Government digital initiatives and firm digital innovation: Evidence from China

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  • Wang, Xincheng
  • Li, Yuan
  • Tian, Longwei
  • Hou, Ye

Abstract

Although the prevalence of digital innovation has attracted increasing attention from policymakers, academics, and practitioners, it remains under-theorized. Using the attention-based view, we examine why and how government digital-initiative intensity drives a firm’s digital innovation. Using a mixed-methods approach and the unique context of China’s aspirant economy, we find that managerial digital attention mediates the link between government digital-initiative intensity and firm digital innovation. Firm political guanxi and digital leadership have moderating effects on the relationship between government digital-initiative intensity and managerial digital attention, and the relationship between managerial digital attention and firm digital innovation. These findings have important theoretical and practical implications.

Suggested Citation

  • Wang, Xincheng & Li, Yuan & Tian, Longwei & Hou, Ye, 2023. "Government digital initiatives and firm digital innovation: Evidence from China," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 119(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:techno:v:119:y:2023:i:c:s016649722200092x
    DOI: 10.1016/j.technovation.2022.102545
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