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Disruptive Innovation Path of Start-Ups in the Digital Context: The Perspective of Dynamic Capabilities

Author

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  • Lijie Feng

    (School of Management Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China
    China Institute of FTZ Supply Chain, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai 201306, China)

  • Guo Qin

    (School of Management Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China)

  • Jinfeng Wang

    (China Institute of FTZ Supply Chain, Shanghai Maritime University, Shanghai 201306, China)

  • Ke Zhang

    (School of Management Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, China)

Abstract

In the context of digitalization, start-ups cultivate the dynamic capabilities enabled by digital technology and promote disruptive innovation, which has become the key for enterprises to achieve catch-up in the digital age. However, the path to achieving disruptive innovation with dynamic capabilities has not been revealed to date. This paper summarizes the dynamic capability dimension in the digital context by applying the grounded theory method and divides the evolution of disruptive innovation into the sprout stage, growth stage, and expansion stage. Based on the logic of “motivation–action–result”, this paper reveals the path of realization path for the disruptive innovation of start-ups under the influence of dynamic capabilities in the digital context. The results show that the disruptive innovation of start-ups can be attributed to the different dimensions of dynamic capabilities. Digital technology allows for enterprises to achieve disruptive innovation by enabling dynamic capabilities. This paper broadens the research on dynamic capability theory and disruptive innovation theory in the digital context. Furthermore, it provides a reference and inspiration for start-ups in the same situation, aiming to realize disruptive innovation by cultivating dynamic capabilities with digital technology.

Suggested Citation

  • Lijie Feng & Guo Qin & Jinfeng Wang & Ke Zhang, 2022. "Disruptive Innovation Path of Start-Ups in the Digital Context: The Perspective of Dynamic Capabilities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(19), pages 1-18, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:14:y:2022:i:19:p:12839-:d:936456
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