IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v15y2023i12p9765-d1174345.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The Nexus of Corporate Affinity for Technology and Firm Sustainable Performance in the Era of Digitalization: A Mediated Model

Author

Listed:
  • Dharm Dev Bhatta

    (School of Foreign Language and International Business, Guilin University of Aerospace Technology, Guilin 541004, China)

  • Muddassar Sarfraz

    (School of Management, Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou 310015, China)

  • Larisa Ivascu

    (Faculty of Management in Production and Transportation, Politehnica University of Timisoara, 300191 Timisoara, Romania)

  • Marius Pislaru

    (Faculty of Industrial Design and Business Management, “Gheorghe Asachi” Technical University of Iasi, 700050 Iasi, Romania)

Abstract

This study aims to elaborate on the embeddedness of digital technology applications and their effect on firms’ sustainable performances under the mediating conditions of team innovation performance and digital organizational culture. The study employs a quantitative approach, and data were collected from 319 employees working in the information technology sector of China. Analyses of moment structures ((AMOS-version 27.0) and SPSS software- version 4.0) were used for data analysis, and the structural equation modeling (SEM) technique was utilized for hypothesis testing. The results show that a corporate affinity for technology has a positive and significant impact on sustainable performance, organizational digital culture, and team innovation performance. Organizational digital culture mediates the relationship between the corporate affinity for technology and sustainable performance. Team innovation performance mediates the relationship between the corporate affinity for technology and sustainable performance. The study contributes to business sustainability in terms of digitalization. Scholars and professionals can use the study as a guide for developing a business model that ensures the sustainable performance of firms. The research seeks to fill the existing gap in the literature concerning sustainable company performance by examining the potential for digitalization to enhance organizational sustainability. Firms need to prioritize investments in technology, they need to build a “tech-savvy” workforce, and they need to promote digital culture across the organization. A mixed-methods study would provide a more comprehensive understanding of this matter. For business leaders, this research provides important insights into how digital tools may be used to foster a productive work environment and ensure long-term success. The study profoundly elaborates on different interdependencies that influence the firms’ sustainable performances, and it suggests that managers should devise policies to enable technology acceptance.

Suggested Citation

  • Dharm Dev Bhatta & Muddassar Sarfraz & Larisa Ivascu & Marius Pislaru, 2023. "The Nexus of Corporate Affinity for Technology and Firm Sustainable Performance in the Era of Digitalization: A Mediated Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-20, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:12:p:9765-:d:1174345
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/12/9765/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/12/9765/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Manlio Del Giudice & Assunta Di Vaio & Rohail Hassan & Rosa Palladino, 2022. "Digitalization and new technologies for sustainable business models at the ship–port interface: a bibliometric analysis," Maritime Policy & Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 49(3), pages 410-446, April.
    2. Zhang Zhen & Zahid Yousaf & Magdalena Radulescu & Muhammad Yasir, 2021. "Nexus of Digital Organizational Culture, Capabilities, Organizational Readiness, and Innovation: Investigation of SMEs Operating in the Digital Economy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-15, January.
    3. Cuthbertson, Richard W. & Furseth, Peder Inge, 2022. "Digital services and competitive advantage: Strengthening the links between RBV, KBV, and innovation," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 152(C), pages 168-176.
    4. Kirti Nayal & Rakesh D. Raut & Vinay Surendra Yadav & Pragati Priyadarshinee & Balkrishna E. Narkhede, 2022. "RETRACTED: The impact of sustainable development strategy on sustainable supply chain firm performance in the digital transformation era," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 31(3), pages 845-859, March.
    5. Li, Lixu & Ye, Fei & Zhan, Yuanzhu & Kumar, Ajay & Schiavone, Francesco & Li, Yina, 2022. "Unraveling the performance puzzle of digitalization: Evidence from manufacturing firms," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 149(C), pages 54-64.
    6. Michele Acciaro & Claudio Ferrari & Jasmine SL Lam & Rosario Macario & Athena Roumboutsos & Christa Sys & Alessio Tei & Thierry Vanelslander, 2018. "Are the innovation processes in seaport terminal operations successful?," Maritime Policy & Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 45(6), pages 787-802, August.
    7. Ayham A. M. Jaaron & Chris J. Backhouse, 2019. "Fostering sustainable performance in services through systems thinking," The Service Industries Journal, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 39(15-16), pages 1072-1098, December.
    8. Abdul Waheed & Xiaoming Miao & Salma Waheed & Naveed Ahmad & Abdul Majeed, 2019. "How New HRM Practices, Organizational Innovation, and Innovative Climate Affect the Innovation Performance in the IT Industry: A Moderated-Mediation Analysis," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-21, January.
    9. Abdulrazak F. Shahatha Al-Mashhadani & Muhammad Imran Qureshi & Sanil S. Hishan & Mohd Shamsuri Md Saad & Yamunah Vaicondam & Nohman Khan, 2021. "Towards the Development of Digital Manufacturing Ecosystems for Sustainable Performance: Learning from the Past Two Decades of Research," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-17, May.
    10. Zhang, Zhongqingyang & Zhu, Huiming & Zhou, Zhongbao & Zou, Kai, 2022. "How does innovation matter for sustainable performance? Evidence from small and medium-sized enterprises," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 153(C), pages 251-265.
    11. Aaldering, Lukas Jan & Song, Chie Hoon, 2021. "Of leaders and laggards - Towards digitalization of the process industries," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 105(C).
    12. Samwel Macharia Chege & Daoping Wang & Shaldon Leparan Suntu, 2020. "Impact of information technology innovation on firm performance in Kenya," Information Technology for Development, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 26(2), pages 316-345, April.
    13. Martínez-Caro, Eva & Cegarra-Navarro, Juan Gabriel & Alfonso-Ruiz, Francisco Javier, 2020. "Digital technologies and firm performance: The role of digital organisational culture," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 154(C).
    14. Bayu Prawira Hie, 2019. "Impact of Transforming Organizational Culture and Digital Transformation Governance toward Digital Maturity in Indonesian Banks," International Review of Management and Marketing, Econjournals, vol. 9(6), pages 51-57.
    15. Chege, Samwel Macharia & Wang, Daoping, 2020. "The influence of technology innovation on SME performance through environmental sustainability practices in Kenya," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 60(C).
    16. Del Giudice, M. & Scuotto, V. & Garcia-Perez, A. & Messeni Petruzzelli, A., 2019. "Shifting Wealth II in Chinese economy. The effect of the horizontal technology spillover for SMEs for international growth," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 145(C), pages 307-316.
    17. Ledyard Tucker & Charles Lewis, 1973. "A reliability coefficient for maximum likelihood factor analysis," Psychometrika, Springer;The Psychometric Society, vol. 38(1), pages 1-10, March.
    18. Oeij, Peter R.A. & van der Torre, Wouter & Vaas, Fietje & Dhondt, Steven, 2019. "Understanding social innovation as an innovation process: Applying the innovation journey model," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 101(C), pages 243-254.
    19. Ziaul Haque Munim & Mariia Dushenko & Veronica Jaramillo Jimenez & Mohammad Hassan Shakil & Marius Imset, 2020. "Big data and artificial intelligence in the maritime industry: a bibliometric review and future research directions," Maritime Policy & Management, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 47(5), pages 577-597, July.
    20. Elena Cizmaș & Emőke-Szidónia Feder & Mădălina-Dumitrița Maticiuc & Silvia Vlad-Anghel, 2020. "Team Management, Diversity, and Performance as Key Influencing Factors of Organizational Sustainable Performance," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-33, September.
    21. Chowdhury, Soumyadeb & Dey, Prasanta Kumar & Rodríguez-Espíndola, Oscar & Parkes, Geoff & Tuyet, Nguyen Thi Anh & Long, Dang Duc & Ha, Tran Phuong, 2022. "Impact of Organisational Factors on the Circular Economy Practices and Sustainable Performance of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises in Vietnam," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 147(C), pages 362-378.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Marino-Romero, Jorge Alberto & Palos-Sánchez, Pedro R. & Velicia-Martín, Félix, 2024. "Evolution of digital transformation in SMEs management through a bibliometric analysis," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 199(C).
    2. Marija Jović & Edvard Tijan & Doroteja Vidmar & Andreja Pucihar, 2022. "Factors of Digital Transformation in the Maritime Transport Sector," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-18, August.
    3. Khorshed Alam & Mohammad Afshar Ali & Michael Erdiaw-Kwasie & Md Shahiduzzaman & Eswaran Velayutham & Peter A. Murray & Retha Wiesner, 2022. "Impact of ICTs on Innovation and Performance of Firms: Do Start-ups, Regional Proximity and Skills Matter?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-18, May.
    4. Forliano, Canio & Bullini Orlandi, Ludovico & Zardini, Alessandro & Rossignoli, Cecilia, 2023. "Technological orientation and organizational resilience to Covid-19: The mediating role of strategy's digital maturity," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 188(C).
    5. Xiao Han & Yang Zheng, 2022. "Driving Elements of Enterprise Digital Transformation Based on the Perspective of Dynamic Evolution," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-19, August.
    6. Talaei-Khoei, Amir & Yang, Alan T. & Masialeti, Masialeti, 2024. "How does incorporating ChatGPT within a firm reinforce agility-mediated performance? The moderating role of innovation infusion and firms’ ethical identity," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 132(C).
    7. Chua, Celine & Li, Xue & Tan, Kim Hock & Yuen, Kum Fai, 2024. "Building sustainable performance in the maritime industry via digital resources and innovation," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 149(C), pages 282-299.
    8. Karim, Mohammed Shamsul & Nahar, Sharmin & Demirbag, Mehmet, 2022. "Resource-Based Perspective on ICT Use and Firm Performance: A Meta-analysis Investigating the Moderating Role of Cross-Country ICT Development Status," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 179(C).
    9. Rubee Singh & Shahbaz Khan & Piera Centobelli, 2022. "Investigating the Interplay between Social Performance and Organisational Factors Supporting Circular Economy Practices," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(24), pages 1-21, December.
    10. Mansour Naser Alraja & Rabia Imran & Basel M. Khashab & Mahmood Shah, 2022. "Technological Innovation, Sustainable Green Practices and SMEs Sustainable Performance in Times of Crisis (COVID-19 pandemic)," Information Systems Frontiers, Springer, vol. 24(4), pages 1081-1105, August.
    11. Zeng, Huixiang & Ran, Hangxin & Zhou, Qiong & Jin, Youliang & Cheng, Xu, 2022. "The financial effect of firm digitalization: Evidence from China," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 183(C).
    12. Guangping Xu & Guangyuan Hou & Jinshan Zhang, 2022. "Digital Sustainable Entrepreneurship: A Digital Capability Perspective through Digital Innovation Orientation for Social and Environmental Value Creation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-24, September.
    13. Shu Yu & Shuangshuang Zhang & Takaya Yuizono, 2021. "Exploring the Influences of Innovation Climate and Resource Endowments through Two Types of University–Industry Collaborative Activities on Regional Sustainable Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(14), pages 1-20, July.
    14. Nuanphromsakul, Kajohnjak & Szczepańska-Woszczyna, Katarzyna & Kot, Sebastian & Chaveesuk, Singha & Chaiyasoonthorn, Wornchanok, 2022. "Sustainability of Rubber Farmers Cooperatives: Empirical Evaluation of Determining Factors," AGRIS on-line Papers in Economics and Informatics, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague, Faculty of Economics and Management, vol. 14(4), December.
    15. Rana Muhammad Shahid Yaqub & Aneeta Rehman & Shakeela Kausar & Zakariya Hassan Qureshi, 2022. "Insights from Theory of Reason Action to Determine the Faculty Turn-Over Intentions in HEI’s of Southern Punjab: Mediating and Moderating Role of Perceived Organizational Justice and Organizational ," iRASD Journal of Management, International Research Alliance for Sustainable Development (iRASD), vol. 4(2), pages 375-389, june.
    16. Mark Shevlin & David Boyda & James Houston & Jamie Murphy, 2015. "Measurement of the psychosis continuum: Modelling the frequency and distress of subclinical psychotic experiences," Psychosis, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 7(2), pages 108-118, April.
    17. Ibrahim A. Elshaer & Alaa M. S. Azazz & Yahdih Semlali & Mahmoud A. Mansour & Mohammed N. Elziny & Sameh Fayyad, 2024. "The Nexus between Green Transformational Leadership, Employee Behavior, and Organizational Support in the Hospitality Industry," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-22, May.
    18. E. Huebner & Rich Gilman & James Laughlin, 1999. "A Multimethod Investigation of the Multidimensionality of Children's Well-Being Reports: Discriminant Validity of Life Satisfaction and Self-Esteem," Social Indicators Research: An International and Interdisciplinary Journal for Quality-of-Life Measurement, Springer, vol. 46(1), pages 1-22, January.
    19. Ali Safarnejad & Jose-Antonio Izazola-Licea, 2017. "Direct and indirect effects of enablers on HIV testing, initiation and retention in antiretroviral treatment and AIDS related mortality," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(2), pages 1-15, February.
    20. Lili Tian & Li Zhang & E. Scott Huebner & Xiaoting Zheng & Wang Liu, 2016. "The Longitudinal Relationship Between School Belonging and Subjective Well-Being in School Among Elementary School Students," Applied Research in Quality of Life, Springer;International Society for Quality-of-Life Studies, vol. 11(4), pages 1269-1285, December.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:12:p:9765-:d:1174345. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.