Title: The mediating effect of business process digitisation on organisational unlearning and the firms' innovation quality: evidence from China

Authors: Yunlong Duan; Yushu Liu; Meng Yang; Shanshan Wang; Jie Jin

Addresses: Division of Science and Technology Administration, Yunnan University of Finance and Economics, Longquan Road 237, Kunming 650221, China ' Business School, Yunnan University of Finance and Economics, Longquan Road 237, Kunming 650221, China ' Business School, Yunnan University of Finance and Economics, Longquan Road 237, Kunming 650221, China ' College of Innovative Business and Accountancy, Dhurakij Pundit University, 110/1-4 Prachachuen Rd., Laksi, Bangkok 10210, Thailand ' Division of Science and Technology Administration, Yunnan University of Finance and Economics, Longquan Road 237, Kunming 650221, China

Abstract: With the rapid development of the digital economy, organisational resources and paradigms have dramatically changed, suggesting it is imperative for firms to unlearn the obsolete knowledge and adopt digital technologies and platforms to achieve high-quality innovation. However, there is currently little research exploring the role of organisational unlearning in innovation quality in the context of digital transformation. Based on a questionnaire survey of 324 respondents from various industries across China, this study proves that organisational unlearning significantly facilitates a firm's innovation quality divided into three dimensions, (i.e., technology innovation quality, transformation innovation quality, and service innovation quality). Additionally, business process digitisation plays a partial mediating role in the above relationships. This study contributes to organisational learning and innovation management literature. It also serves as a reference for managers to upgrade existing business processes while making effective strategic decisions on innovation.

Keywords: organisational unlearning; business process digitisation; innovation quality; China.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.2025.143594

International Journal of Technology Management, 2025 Vol.97 No.2/3, pp.356 - 384

Received: 30 May 2022
Accepted: 11 May 2023
Published online: 02 Jan 2025 *

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