Title: How do director networks improve digital innovation in China? An explanation grounded in knowledge-based view

Authors: Qiang Lu; Yihang Zhou; Jinliang Chen; Yang Deng

Addresses: Business School, Beijing Technology and Business University, No. 33 Fucheng Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100084, China ' Business School, Beijing Technology and Business University, No. 33 Fucheng Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100084, China ' Business School, Central University of Finance and Economics, No. 39 South College Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100081, China ' Chinese Academy of Fiscal Sciences, No. 28 Fucheng Road, Haidian District, Beijing, 100142, China

Abstract: The role of links in knowledge transmission, from the external to the internal, highlights the need to explore whether director networks can promote digital innovation. Based on knowledge-based view, this study assesses the influence of director networks on digital innovation. With the analysis of data (from 2012 to 2019) from Chinese manufacturing listed companies, this study finds the following results: 1) director network centrality has a positive effect on digital innovation; 2) director network structural holes positively impact digital innovation; 3) knowledge environment negatively moderates the relationship between director networks and digital innovation; 4) legal environment negatively moderates the relationship between director network centrality and digital innovation, but has no moderating effect on the relationship between director network structural holes and digital innovation. This study explores the relationship between director networks and digital innovation, providing both practical and theoretical significance to the field of digital innovation.

Keywords: digital innovation; director network centrality; director network structural holes; knowledge-based view; KBV; China.

DOI: 10.1504/IJTM.2025.143597

International Journal of Technology Management, 2025 Vol.97 No.2/3, pp.242 - 274

Received: 11 Aug 2022
Accepted: 07 May 2023
Published online: 02 Jan 2025 *

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