IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/spr/fininn/v10y2024i1d10.1186_s40854-023-00584-1.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The power of financial support in accelerating digital transformation and corporate innovation in China: evidence from banking and capital markets

Author

Listed:
  • Zhuoya Du

    (Jilin University)

  • Qian Wang

    (Jilin University)

Abstract

This study explores the role of financial support in the digital transformation of Chinese A-share-listed companies from 2001 to 2020. By utilizing the moderating effect model and threshold regression model, this study finds the following results: (1) Digital transformation positively impacts innovation, and the support of banking and capital markets further strengthens this impact. (2) With the development of banking and capital markets, the impact of digital transformation on innovation changes from negative to positive, which is also reflected in the subsamples of Eastern companies, small and medium-sized companies (SMEs), and non-SMEs. (3) The study reveals that only the capital market in the non-Eastern region has no threshold, and capital market support is effective only for non-SMEs when it reaches a higher level. These findings have important implications for policymakers in promoting digital transformation through financial support and help companies understand how to use financial support to improve competitiveness.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhuoya Du & Qian Wang, 2024. "The power of financial support in accelerating digital transformation and corporate innovation in China: evidence from banking and capital markets," Financial Innovation, Springer;Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, vol. 10(1), pages 1-34, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:fininn:v:10:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1186_s40854-023-00584-1
    DOI: 10.1186/s40854-023-00584-1
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://link.springer.com/10.1186/s40854-023-00584-1
    File Function: Abstract
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1186/s40854-023-00584-1?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jing Li & Jun Xia & Edward J. Zajac, 2018. "On the duality of political and economic stakeholder influence on firm innovation performance: Theory and evidence from Chinese firms," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 39(1), pages 193-216, January.
    2. Florian Leon, 2014. "Bank Competition and Credit Constraints in Developing Countries: New Evidence," CERDI Working papers halshs-01015806, HAL.
    3. Qinghua Zhang & Heng-fu Zou, 2012. "Regional Inequality in Contemporary China," Annals of Economics and Finance, Society for AEF, vol. 13(1), pages 113-137, May.
    4. Senyo, Prince Kwame & Liu, Kecheng & Effah, John, 2019. "Digital business ecosystem: Literature review and a framework for future research," International Journal of Information Management, Elsevier, vol. 47(C), pages 52-64.
    5. James R. Brown & Steven M. Fazzari & Bruce C. Petersen, 2009. "Financing Innovation and Growth: Cash Flow, External Equity, and the 1990s R&D Boom," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 64(1), pages 151-185, February.
    6. Wang, Qian & Du, Zhuo-Ya, 2022. "Changing the impact of banking concentration on corporate innovation: The moderating effect of digital transformation," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 71(C).
    7. Myers, Stewart C. & Majluf, Nicholas S., 1984. "Corporate financing and investment decisions when firms have information that investors do not have," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 13(2), pages 187-221, June.
    8. Didier, Tatiana & Levine, Ross & Llovet Montanes, Ruth & Schmukler, Sergio L., 2021. "Capital market financing and firm growth," Journal of International Money and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).
    9. Li, Xiao-Ming, 2017. "New evidence on economic policy uncertainty and equity premium," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 46(PA), pages 41-56.
    10. Abdul Ganiyu Iddrisu & Bei Chen, 2022. "Economic growth through digitalization in Africa: does financial sector development play a mediating role?," International Journal of Emerging Markets, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 19(10), pages 3111-3138, December.
    11. Dimitris Mourtzis, 2020. "Simulation in the design and operation of manufacturing systems: state of the art and new trends," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 58(7), pages 1927-1949, April.
    12. Ertugrul, Mine & Lei, Jin & Qiu, Jiaping & Wan, Chi, 2017. "Annual Report Readability, Tone Ambiguity, and the Cost of Borrowing," Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, Cambridge University Press, vol. 52(2), pages 811-836, April.
    13. Lee, In & Shin, Yong Jae, 2018. "Fintech: Ecosystem, business models, investment decisions, and challenges," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 61(1), pages 35-46.
    14. Zheng, Xinye & Li, Fanghua & Song, Shunfeng & Yu, Yihua, 2013. "Central government's infrastructure investment across Chinese regions: A dynamic spatial panel data approach," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 27(C), pages 264-276.
    15. Atanassov, Julian & Liu, Xiaoding, 2020. "Can Corporate Income Tax Cuts Stimulate Innovation?," Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, Cambridge University Press, vol. 55(5), pages 1415-1465, August.
    16. Gao, Kang & Yuan, Yijun, 2022. "Government intervention, spillover effect and urban innovation performance: Empirical evidence from national innovative city pilot policy in China," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 70(C).
    17. Trinugroho, Irwan & Law, Siong Hook & Lee, Weng Chang & Wiwoho, Jamal & Sergi, Bruno S., 2021. "Effect of financial development on innovation: Roles of market institutions," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 103(C).
    18. Pengyu Chen & Yuanyuan Hao, 2022. "Digital transformation and corporate environmental performance: The moderating role of board characteristics," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 29(5), pages 1757-1767, September.
    19. Du, Julan & Li, Chang & Wang, Yongqin, 2023. "Shadow banking of non-financial firms: Arbitrage between formal and informal credit markets in China," Journal of Financial Intermediation, Elsevier, vol. 55(C).
    20. Thorsten Beck & Asli Demirgüç‐Kunt & Vojislav Maksimovic, 2005. "Financial and Legal Constraints to Growth: Does Firm Size Matter?," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 60(1), pages 137-177, February.
    21. Wen, Shiyan & Lin, Boqiang & Zhou, Yicheng, 2021. "Does financial structure promote energy conservation and emission reduction? Evidence from China," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 76(C), pages 755-766.
    22. Cenamor, Javier & Parida, Vinit & Wincent, Joakim, 2019. "How entrepreneurial SMEs compete through digital platforms: The roles of digital platform capability, network capability and ambidexterity," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 100(C), pages 196-206.
    23. Atanassov, Julian & Liu, Xiaoding, 2020. "Can Corporate Income Tax Cuts Stimulate Innovation? - ERRATUM," Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, Cambridge University Press, vol. 55(5), pages 1755-1755, August.
    24. Zhang, Xiaoxing & Gao, Changyuan & Zhang, Shuchen, 2022. "The niche evolution of cross-boundary innovation for Chinese SMEs in the context of digital transformation——Case study based on dynamic capability," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).
    25. Yue, Shujing & Lu, Rou & Shen, Yongchang & Chen, Hongtao, 2019. "How does financial development affect energy consumption? Evidence from 21 transitional countries," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 130(C), pages 253-262.
    26. Frank Gigler & Chandra Kanodia & Haresh Sapra & Raghu Venugopalan, 2014. "How Frequent Financial Reporting Can Cause Managerial Short‐Termism: An Analysis of the Costs and Benefits of Increasing Reporting Frequency," Journal of Accounting Research, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 52(2), pages 357-387, May.
    27. Corvello, Vincenzo & Belas, Jaroslav & Giglio, Carlo & Iazzolino, Gianpaolo & Troise, Ciro, 2023. "The impact of business owners’ individual characteristics on patenting in the context of digital innovation," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 155(PA).
    28. Xiaowei Kong & Deng-Kui Si & Haiyang Li & Dongmin Kong, 2021. "Does access to credit reduce SMEs’ tax avoidance? Evidence from a regression discontinuity design," Financial Innovation, Springer;Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, vol. 7(1), pages 1-23, December.
    29. Leon, Florian, 2015. "Does bank competition alleviate credit constraints in developing countries?," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 57(C), pages 130-142.
    30. Singh, Shiwangi & Sharma, Meenakshi & Dhir, Sanjay, 2021. "Modeling the effects of digital transformation in Indian manufacturing industry," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 67(C).
    31. Zhang, Yuyang & Uchida, Konari & Dong, Liping, 2020. "External financing and earnings management: Evidence from international data," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 54(C).
    32. Zhu, Xiaoyang & Asimakopoulos, Stylianos & Kim, Jaebeom, 2020. "Financial development and innovation-led growth: Is too much finance better?," Journal of International Money and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 100(C).
    33. Harrison, Richard & Li, Youwei & Vigne, Samuel A. & Wu, Yuliang, 2022. "Why do small businesses have difficulty in accessing bank financing?," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
    34. Du, Longzheng & Lin, Weifen, 2022. "Does the application of industrial robots overcome the Solow paradox? Evidence from China," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).
    35. Wu, Mingran & Zhao, Min & Wu, Zhaodan, 2019. "Evaluation of development level and economic contribution ratio of science and technology innovation in eastern China," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 59(C).
    36. Keith C. Brown, 1968. "The Significance Of Dummy Variables In Multiple Regressions Involving Financial And Economic Data," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 23(3), pages 515-517, June.
    37. 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).
    38. Nambisan, Satish & Wright, Mike & Feldman, Maryann, 2019. "The digital transformation of innovation and entrepreneurship: Progress, challenges and key themes," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(8), pages 1-1.
    39. Hsu, Po-Hsuan & Tian, Xuan & Xu, Yan, 2014. "Financial development and innovation: Cross-country evidence," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 112(1), pages 116-135.
    40. Verhoef, Peter C. & Broekhuizen, Thijs & Bart, Yakov & Bhattacharya, Abhi & Qi Dong, John & Fabian, Nicolai & Haenlein, Michael, 2021. "Digital transformation: A multidisciplinary reflection and research agenda," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 889-901.
    41. Hansen, Bruce E., 1999. "Threshold effects in non-dynamic panels: Estimation, testing, and inference," Journal of Econometrics, Elsevier, vol. 93(2), pages 345-368, December.
    42. Bertani, Filippo & Ponta, Linda & Raberto, Marco & Teglio, Andrea & Cincotti, Silvano, 2021. "The complexity of the intangible digital economy: an agent-based model," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 129(C), pages 527-540.
    43. Tim Loughran & Bill McDonald, 2020. "Textual Analysis in Finance," Annual Review of Financial Economics, Annual Reviews, vol. 12(1), pages 357-375, December.
    44. Liu, Guanchun & Zhang, Chengsi, 2020. "Does financial structure matter for economic growth in China," China Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 61(C).
    45. Brown, James R. & Martinsson, Gustav & Petersen, Bruce C., 2017. "Stock markets, credit markets, and technology-led growth," Journal of Financial Intermediation, Elsevier, vol. 32(C), pages 45-59.
    46. He, Chengying & Geng, Xiaoxu & Tan, Chunzhi & Guo, Ruijin, 2023. "Fintech and corporate debt default risk: Influencing mechanisms and heterogeneity," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 164(C).
    47. Ding Liu & Weihong Sun & Xuan Zhang, 2020. "Is the Chinese Economy Well Positioned to Fight the COVID-19 Pandemic? the Financial Cycle Perspective," Emerging Markets Finance and Trade, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 56(10), pages 2259-2276, August.
    48. Flannery, Mark J. & Rangan, Kasturi P., 2006. "Partial adjustment toward target capital structures," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 79(3), pages 469-506, March.
    49. Nigam, Nirjhar & Benetti, Cristiane & Johan, Sofia A., 2020. "Digital start-up access to venture capital financing: What signals quality?," Emerging Markets Review, Elsevier, vol. 45(C).
    50. Kulvinder Purewal & Hazwan Haini, 2022. "Re-examining the effect of financial markets and institutions on economic growth: evidence from the OECD countries," Economic Change and Restructuring, Springer, vol. 55(1), pages 311-333, February.
    51. Kamalaldin, Anmar & Sjödin, David & Hullova, Dusana & Parida, Vinit, 2021. "Configuring ecosystem strategies for digitally enabled process innovation: A framework for equipment suppliers in the process industries," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 105(C).
    52. Nasiri, Mina & Ukko, Juhani & Saunila, Minna & Rantala, Tero, 2020. "Managing the digital supply chain: The role of smart technologies," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 96.
    53. Mikaela Backman & Tina Wallin, 2018. "Access to banks and external capital acquisition: perceived innovation obstacles," The Annals of Regional Science, Springer;Western Regional Science Association, vol. 61(1), pages 161-187, July.
    54. Fuxiu Jiang & Kenneth A. Kim & Yunbiao Ma & John R. Nofsinger & Beibei Shi, 2019. "Corporate Culture and Investment–Cash Flow Sensitivity," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 154(2), pages 425-439, January.
    55. Boot, Arnoud W. A., 2000. "Relationship Banking: What Do We Know?," Journal of Financial Intermediation, Elsevier, vol. 9(1), pages 7-25, January.
    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. Wang, Qian & Du, Zhuo-Ya, 2022. "Changing the impact of banking concentration on corporate innovation: The moderating effect of digital transformation," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 71(C).
    2. 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.
    3. 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.
    4. Fasano, Francesco & Cappa, Francesco, 2022. "How do banking fintech services affect SME debt?," Journal of Economics and Business, Elsevier, vol. 121(C).
    5. Guan, Yuexin & Pan, Wei-Fong & Tang, Siyu, 2024. "Female political leaders and R&D investment," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 70(PB).
    6. Didier, Tatiana & Levine, Ross & Llovet Montanes, Ruth & Schmukler, Sergio L., 2021. "Capital market financing and firm growth," Journal of International Money and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 118(C).
    7. Bechlioulis, Alexandros & Economidou, Claire & Karamanis, Dimitrios & Konstantios, Dimitrios, 2023. "How important are capital controls in shaping innovation activity?," Journal of International Money and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 131(C).
    8. Yang (Eric) Zhou & Jingjun (David) Xu & Zhiying Liu, 2024. "The impact of digital transformation on corporate innovation: Roles of analyst coverage and internal control," Managerial and Decision Economics, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 45(1), pages 373-393, January.
    9. Shengrui Li & Leyi Chen & Yushuang Li & Ling Liu, 2024. "Financial Density and Innovation Quality: Evidence from the Geographic Distribution of Financial Institutions in China," Journal of the Knowledge Economy, Springer;Portland International Center for Management of Engineering and Technology (PICMET), vol. 15(4), pages 16868-16912, December.
    10. Simone Boccaletti & Annalisa Ferrando & Emanuele Rossi & Monica Rossolini, 2025. "European SMEs’ growth: the role of market-based finance and public financial support," Small Business Economics, Springer, vol. 64(2), pages 691-727, February.
    11. Liu, Chuanhui & Sheng, Zhongyuan & Hu, Xuetong & Tian, Chunxiao, 2025. "Hand in hand or left behind: The dual impact of leading firms’ digital technologies on industry digital transformation," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 75(PA).
    12. Zhou, Fan & Deng, Nanxin & Wu, Di, 2024. "Does money buy innovation? The effect of the “Innovative City” pilot on firm innovation in China," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 70(C).
    13. Jin, Laiqun & Dai, Jiaying & Jiang, Weijie & Cao, Kairui, 2023. "Digital finance and misallocation of resources among firms: Evidence from China," The North American Journal of Economics and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).
    14. Yang, Bao & Chou, Hsin-I. & Zhao, Jing, 2020. "Innovation or dividend payout: Evidence from China," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 68(C), pages 180-203.
    15. Zhou, Zhongsheng & Li, Zhuo, 2023. "Corporate digital transformation and trade credit financing," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 160(C).
    16. Xiao, Zhongyi & Li, Yuanling & Xiang, Cheng, 2025. "Do suppliers value customer firms' digital transformation? Evidence from trade credit provision," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 99(C).
    17. Ying Wu & Yuanyue Deng, 2024. "Does digital transformation crowd out the employment of lower skill labor?," Bulletin of Economic Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 76(3), pages 726-748, July.
    18. Chotia, Varun & Khoualdi, Kamel & Broccardo, Laura & Yaqub, Muhammad Zafar, 2025. "The role of cyber security and digital transformation in gaining competitive advantage through Strategic Management Accounting," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    19. Zheng, Deyuan & Song, Hang & Zhao, Chunguang & Liu, Yujiao & Zhao, Wenhao, 2024. "Is it possible for semiconductor companies to reduce carbon emissions through digital transformation? Evidence from China," International Journal of Production Economics, Elsevier, vol. 272(C).
    20. Li, Pengcheng & Guo, Xiaochuan & Wang, Fengzheng & Zhang, Qifeng, 2025. "Digital transformation and corporate innovation boundaries: Role of supply chain concentration and transparency," International Review of Financial Analysis, Elsevier, vol. 98(C).

    More about this item

    Keywords

    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;
    ;

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    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:spr:fininn:v:10:y:2024:i:1:d:10.1186_s40854-023-00584-1. 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: Sonal Shukla or Springer Nature Abstracting and Indexing (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.springer.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.