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Digital transformation whitewashing and financing constraints

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Listed:
  • Feng, Yaxin
  • Li, Yanhong
  • Lin, Tiantian

Abstract

This study investigates the drivers and consequences of digital transformation whitewashing (DTW) among Chinese manufacturing firms from 2010 to 2021. We find that financing constraints have a robust and significant positive impact on DTW, an effect that is more pronounced for firms located in provinces with lower marketization or operating in industries with lower levels of monopoly. Regarding economic consequences, our results indicate that DTW fails to alleviate external financing constraints, instead causing firms to increasingly rely on internal financing.

Suggested Citation

  • Feng, Yaxin & Li, Yanhong & Lin, Tiantian, 2024. "Digital transformation whitewashing and financing constraints," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 69(PB).
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:finlet:v:69:y:2024:i:pb:s1544612324012716
    DOI: 10.1016/j.frl.2024.106242
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Digital transformation whitewashing; Financing constraints; Internal financing; External financing;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • D82 - Microeconomics - - Information, Knowledge, and Uncertainty - - - Asymmetric and Private Information; Mechanism Design
    • G30 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - General
    • G32 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - Financing Policy; Financial Risk and Risk Management; Capital and Ownership Structure; Value of Firms; Goodwill

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