IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/sae/sagope/v14y2024i3p21582440241264348.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Digital Transformation and Breakthrough Innovation in Chinese Manufacturing Firms: Based on Ability-Motivation-Opportunity (AMO) Framework of Human Capital

Author

Listed:
  • Long Xu
  • Yunsheng Zhou
  • Liang Chen

Abstract

This paper explores how digital transformation influences breakthrough innovation by adopting the AMO framework of human capital. Through the analysis of data from A-share listed companies in China’s manufacturing industry spanning from 2012 to 2021 using fixed-effect OLS and Sobel test, the study reveals that digital transformation significantly fosters breakthrough innovation within manufacturing companies. This positive impact is attributed to the enhancement of abilities, activation of motivation, and expansion of opportunities for human capital, thus facilitating breakthrough innovation. Furthermore, the study highlights that the impact of digital transformation on breakthrough innovation is particularly pronounced in state-owned and high-tech companies. Additionally, it is observed that companies located in the eastern region of China experiences more robust promotion effects compared to those in central and western regions. Significances and implications are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Long Xu & Yunsheng Zhou & Liang Chen, 2024. "Digital Transformation and Breakthrough Innovation in Chinese Manufacturing Firms: Based on Ability-Motivation-Opportunity (AMO) Framework of Human Capital," SAGE Open, , vol. 14(3), pages 21582440241, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:sagope:v:14:y:2024:i:3:p:21582440241264348
    DOI: 10.1177/21582440241264348
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/21582440241264348
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1177/21582440241264348?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. Omidi, Afshin & Dal Zotto, Cinzia & Gandini, Alessandro, 2023. "Labor process theory and critical HRM: A systematic review and agenda for future research," European Management Journal, Elsevier, vol. 41(6), pages 899-913.
    2. Gradstein, Mark, 2019. "Misallocation of Talent and Human Capital: Political Economy Analysis," CEPR Discussion Papers 13574, C.E.P.R. Discussion Papers.
    3. Biggerstaff, Lee & Blank, Brian & Goldie, Brad, 2019. "Do incentives work? Option-based compensation and corporate innovation," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 58(C), pages 415-430.
    4. Lee, Neil & Clarke, Stephen, 2019. "Do low-skilled workers gain from high-tech employment growth? High-technology multipliers, employment and wages in Britain," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(9), pages 1-1.
    5. Long Xue & Qianyu Zhang & Xuemang Zhang & Chengyu Li, 2022. "Can Digital Transformation Promote Green Technology Innovation?," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(12), pages 1-20, June.
    6. André Hanelt & René Bohnsack & David Marz & Cláudia Antunes Marante, 2021. "A Systematic Review of the Literature on Digital Transformation: Insights and Implications for Strategy and Organizational Change," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 58(5), pages 1159-1197, July.
    7. 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.
    8. Reis, G.G. & Heidemann, M.S. & Goes, H.A.A. & Molento, C.F.M., 2021. "Can radical innovation mitigate environmental and animal welfare misconduct in global value chains? The case of cell-based tuna," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 169(C).
    9. Ciampi, Francesco & Demi, Stefano & Magrini, Alessandro & Marzi, Giacomo & Papa, Armando, 2021. "Exploring the impact of big data analytics capabilities on business model innovation: The mediating role of entrepreneurial orientation," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 123(C), pages 1-13.
    10. Simón Ramírez & Juan Gallego & Mery Tamayo, 2020. "Human capital, innovation and productivity in Colombian enterprises: a structural approach using instrumental variables," Economics of Innovation and New Technology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 29(6), pages 625-642, August.
    11. Prithwiraj Choudhury & Evan Starr & Rajshree Agarwal, 2020. "Machine learning and human capital complementarities: Experimental evidence on bias mitigation," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 41(8), pages 1381-1411, August.
    12. Capponi, Giovanna & Martinelli, Arianna & Nuvolari, Alessandro, 2022. "Breakthrough innovations and where to find them," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 51(1).
    13. Sarah Kaplan & Keyvan Vakili, 2015. "The double-edged sword of recombination in breakthrough innovation," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 36(10), pages 1435-1457, October.
    14. Lenihan, Helena & McGuirk, Helen & Murphy, Kevin R., 2019. "Driving innovation: Public policy and human capital," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(9), pages 1-1.
    15. Kong, Dongmin & Wang, Yanan & Zhang, Jian, 2020. "Efficiency wages as gift exchange: Evidence from corporate innovation in China," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 65(C).
    16. Usai, A. & Fiano, F. & Messeni Petruzzelli, A. & Paoloni, P. & Farina Briamonte, M. & Orlando, B., 2021. "Unveiling the impact of the adoption of digital technologies on firms’ innovation performance," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 133(C), pages 327-336.
    17. Gradstein, Mark, 2019. "Misallocation of talent and human capital: Political economy analysis," European Economic Review, Elsevier, vol. 118(C), pages 148-157.
    18. Balsmeier, Benjamin & Woerter, Martin, 2019. "Is this time different? How digitalization influences job creation and destruction," Research Policy, Elsevier, vol. 48(8), pages 1-1.
    19. Mohammed Benlemlih & Mohammad Bitar, 2018. "Corporate Social Responsibility and Investment Efficiency," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 148(3), pages 647-671, March.
    20. Yi, Ming & Liu, Yafen & Sheng, Mingyue Selena & Wen, Le, 2022. "Effects of digital economy on carbon emission reduction: New evidence from China," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 171(C).
    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. Shao, Yanmin & Xu, Kunliang & Shan, Yuan George, 2024. "Leveraging corporate digitalization for green technology innovation: The mediating role of resource endowments," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 133(C).
    2. Zhu, Xiumei & Li, Yue, 2023. "The use of data-driven insight in ambidextrous digital transformation: How do resource orchestration, organizational strategic decision-making, and organizational agility matter?," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 196(C).
    3. Huang, Heshu & Wang, Caiting & Wang, Liukai & Yarovaya, Larisa, 2023. "Corporate digital transformation and idiosyncratic risk: Based on corporate governance perspective," Emerging Markets Review, Elsevier, vol. 56(C).
    4. Renyan Mu & Jianhua Rao & Junda Zhu, 2025. "Empowering Breakthrough Innovations Through Digital Technology: The Effects of Digital Technology Depth and Breadth," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-33, February.
    5. Peng Liang & Xinhui Sun, 2024. "Does digital transformation promote the green innovation of China’s listed companies?," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 26(9), pages 22199-22235, September.
    6. Xiang, Guopeng & Peng, Mixiang & Tang, Fei & Liu, Yuan, 2024. "Unpacking the impact of entrepreneurial learning on business model innovation in internet startups: Mediating roles of digital capabilities," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 77(C).
    7. Bhandari, Krishna Raj & Zámborský, Peter & Ranta, Mikko & Salo, Jari, 2023. "Digitalization, internationalization, and firm performance: A resource-orchestration perspective on new OLI advantages," International Business Review, Elsevier, vol. 32(4).
    8. Ran, Qiying & Yang, Xiaodong & Yan, Hongchuan & Xu, Yang & Cao, Jianhong, 2023. "Natural resource consumption and industrial green transformation: Does the digital economy matter?," Resources Policy, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    9. Jinqiu He & Huiwen Su, 2022. "Digital Transformation and Green Innovation of Chinese Firms: The Moderating Role of Regulatory Pressure and International Opportunities," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-21, October.
    10. Rizvi, Syed Kumail Abbas & Rahat, Birjees & Naqvi, Bushra & Umar, Muhammad, 2024. "Revolutionizing finance: The synergy of fintech, digital adoption, and innovation," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 200(C).
    11. Yuchen Zhang & Wei Yang, 2022. "Breakthrough invention and problem complexity: Evidence from a quasi‐experiment," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 43(12), pages 2510-2544, December.
    12. Ding, Jiantao & Yin, Yingkai & Kuang, Jinsong & Ding, Dezhi & Madsen, Dag.Øivind & Yang, Kunyu, 2024. "The impact of enterprise digital transformation on financial mismatch: Empirical evidence from listed companies in China," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 66(C).
    13. Zhipeng Yu & Yi Liu & Taihua Yan & Ming Zhang, 2024. "Carbon emission efficiency in the age of digital economy: New insights on green technology progress and industrial structure distortion," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(5), pages 4039-4057, July.
    14. Kun Wang & Bing Chen & Yuhong Li, 2024. "Technological, process or managerial innovation? How does digital transformation affect green innovation in industrial enterprises?," Economic Change and Restructuring, Springer, vol. 57(1), pages 1-32, February.
    15. Xu, Yong & Zhao, Xin & Wang, Jian & Xie, Peijun, 2023. "Clarifying the dispute of corporate social responsibility: Evidence from green technological innovation," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).
    16. Deist, Maximilian K. & McDowell, William C. & Bouncken, Ricarda B., 2023. "Digital units and digital innovation: Balancing fluidity and stability for the Creation, Conversion, and Dissemination of sticky knowledge," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).
    17. Anhang Chen & Huiqin Zhang & Yuxiang Zhang & Junwei Zhao, 2024. "Manufacturers’ digital transformation under carbon cap-and-trade policy: investment strategy and environmental impact," Palgrave Communications, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 11(1), pages 1-14, December.
    18. Fatih Gurcan & Gizem Dilan Boztas & Gonca Gokce Menekse Dalveren & Mohammad Derawi, 2023. "Digital Transformation Strategies, Practices, and Trends: A Large-Scale Retrospective Study Based on Machine Learning," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-23, May.
    19. Montobbio, Fabio & Staccioli, Jacopo & Virgillito, Maria Enrica & Vivarelli, Marco, 2022. "Robots and the origin of their labour-saving impact," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 174(C).
    20. Liu, Guangqiang & Wang, Shenghua, 2023. "Digital transformation and trade credit provision: Evidence from China," Research in International Business and Finance, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).

    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:sae:sagope:v:14:y:2024:i:3:p:21582440241264348. 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: SAGE Publications (email available below). General contact details of provider: .

    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.