Title: Configurations for corporate digital innovation: investigating the roles of technology, organisation and environment

Authors: Yaojun Wang; Pinglei Xu; Xiaoyu Yu; Xiaoyong Zhou

Addresses: School of Management, Guilin University of Aerospace Technology, No. 2, Jinji Road, Qixing District, Guilin, China ' School of Management, Shanghai University, 99 Shangda Road, Baoshan District, Shanghai, China; School of Management, Guilin University of Aerospace Technology, No. 2, Jinji Road, Qixing District, Guilin, China ' School of Management, Shanghai University, 99 Shangda Road, Baoshan District, Shanghai, China ' School of Management, Guilin University of Aerospace Technology, No. 2, Jinji Road, Qixing District, Guilin, China

Abstract: Corporations are increasingly applying digital technologies to gain competitive advantages. However, not all firm initiatives result in digital innovation. Studies have highlighted the ambivalent role of individual factors, such as technological, organisational or environmental factors, in fostering or hindering digital innovation. Using a configurational approach of fuzzy set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA), we investigate the interplay of six conditions within the technology-organisation-environment (TOE) framework that potentially influence digital innovation. Based on data from 195 Chinese manufacturing companies, we identify four configurations that lead to digital innovation. This study enhances understanding of the interdependence of the causal conditions (e.g., technology infrastructure) in set relations with outcome of digital innovation in different firms. This study also enriches the literature that investigates antecedents of digital innovation holistically.

Keywords: digital technology; digital innovation; fsQCA analysis; TOE framework; manufacturing firms; China.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.2025.143596

International Journal of Technology Management, 2025 Vol.97 No.2/3, pp.195 - 216

Received: 30 Sep 2022
Accepted: 07 May 2023
Published online: 02 Jan 2025 *

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