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The effect of digital transformation on firm performance: evidence from Swedish listed companies

Author

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  • Maha Khemakhem Jardak
  • Salah Ben Hamad

Abstract

Purpose - The objective of this research is to examine empirically the effects of digital maturity (DM) on the firm's financial performance as measured by return on assets (ROA), return on equity (ROE) and Tobin's Q. Design/methodology/approach - The authors use a panel data sample of 92 observations collected from 23 listed firms on Sweden's stock exchange over four years, 2015–2018. The authors hand collect DM from the digital leader's reports and collect financial data from DataStream. Using both static and dynamic panel (generalized method of moments (GMM) estimation) regression models to perform endogeneity problem, the authors explore the impact of the DM index on ROA, ROE and Q of Tobin. Findings - The results show that DM has a negative effect on ROA and ROE but a positive effect on Q of Tobin. This negative relationship can be explained, by the fact that information technology (IT) investment and the DM could take years to be materialized and to be captured by performance indicators. Company investment in IT will increase and basically the ROA will be negatively affected because the higher value of IT assets is not amortized. Nevertheless, in the long term, company can maximize its performance. The positive effect on Q of Tobin captures the long-run effect of digital transformation. Research limitations/implications - This research can be helpful for firms in their process of digital transformation to succeed with the change, create value and to understand the challenges they have to face. In the short term, firms undertaking digital transformation will face some financial difficulties which affect negatively their ROA and ROE, but in the long term they can maximize their performance (captured by Tobin’s Q) and improve their market value. Originality/value - In previous research, the impact of digital transformation on performance has been measured in terms of revenue growth, profit margins and in terms of earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT). Even if the authors have sufficient evidence of the positive effect of digital transformation on organizational performance, there is no support of the positive effect on financial performance. So, the authors try to fill this gap. This research has also the merit of examining this relationship empirically through a dynamic panel data estimation two-step system GMM, while the majority of previous studies are qualitative in nature based on interviews and questionnaires or simple correlations.

Suggested Citation

  • Maha Khemakhem Jardak & Salah Ben Hamad, 2022. "The effect of digital transformation on firm performance: evidence from Swedish listed companies," Journal of Risk Finance, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 23(4), pages 329-348, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:eme:jrfpps:jrf-12-2021-0199
    DOI: 10.1108/JRF-12-2021-0199
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Swapnilsingh Thakur & Shailesh Rastogi & Neha Parashar & Pracheta Tejasmayee & Jyoti Mehndiratta Kappal, 2023. "The Impact of ICT on the Profitability of Indian Banks: The Moderating Role of NPA," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 16(4), pages 1-16, March.
    2. 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.
    3. Wang, Quan-Jing & Tang, Kai & Hu, Hai-Qing, 2022. "The impact of digital finance on green innovation: Evidence from provinces in China," Innovation and Green Development, Elsevier, vol. 1(1).
    4. Yang, Hefan & Liu, Xilu & Meng, Yao & Feng, Baoyi & Chen, Zhijun, 2024. "Digital transformation and the allocation of decision-making rights within business groups – Empirical evidence from China," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 179(C).
    5. Ahmed Al-Omush & Munther Talal Momany & Azzam Hannoon & Muhammad Anwar, 2023. "Digitalization and Sustainable Competitive Performance in Small–Medium Enterprises: A Moderation Mediation Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(21), pages 1-22, November.
    6. Awais, Minahil & Afzal, Ayesha & Firdousi, Saba & Hasnaoui, Amir, 2023. "Is fintech the new path to sustainable resource utilisation and economic development?," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    7. Wang, Xiaoran & Ibrahim, Haslindar, 2024. "Unveiling the effects of mineral markets, fintech and governance on business performance: Evidence from China," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 91(C).

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