External Shocks, R&D Investment, and Firms’ First-Time Digital Innovation

IF 4.6 3区 管理学 Q1 BUSINESS IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management Pub Date : 2024-09-25 DOI:10.1109/TEM.2024.3457233
Xincheng Wang;Mijia Gong;Tianyu Gong
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Abstract

This research builds upon problemistic search theory to explain why and when external shocks may lead to firm first-time digital innovation, a novel and risky solution. Problemistic search theory posits that the serious problems faced by firms may trigger their problemistic search scope for solutions through two processes: discovery process and evaluation process. Our theorization explains why external shocks such as the COVID-19 create novel or radical problems for firms, and thus trigger firms’ problemistic search scope for solutions in the discovery process, increasing firms’ willingness to delve into first-time digital innovation. Furthermore, problemistic search theory also suggests that in the evaluation process, the evaluation of solutions depends on both the firm's own experience (i.e., firm's prior R&D) and the experiences of others (i.e., firms’ social linkages). To be specific, cognitive entrenchment and inertia embedded in the firm's prior research and development (R&D) may, however, pose barriers to the evaluation of first-time digital innovation. Moreover, a firm's linkage with digital firms can potentially alleviate such cognitive barriers. Using a difference-in-differences design based on data from Chinese published firms, we find empirical support for our theoretical predictions. This research deepens our understanding of the literature on firms’ digital innovation, problemistic search theory, and R&D.
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外部冲击、研发投资与企业的首次数字化创新
本研究以问题搜索理论为基础,解释了外部冲击为何以及何时会导致企业首次进行数字创新这种新颖而冒险的解决方案。问题搜索理论认为,企业面临的严重问题可能会通过两个过程(发现过程和评估过程)触发其对解决方案的问题搜索范围。我们的理论解释了为什么 COVID-19 等外部冲击会给企业带来新的或激进的问题,从而引发企业在发现过程中对解决方案的问题式搜索范围,增加企业进行首次数字创新的意愿。此外,问题搜索理论还认为,在评估过程中,对解决方案的评估既取决于企业自身的经验(即企业先前的研发经验),也取决于他人的经验(即企业的社会联系)。具体而言,企业先前研发(R&D)中的认知固化和惰性可能会对首次数字创新的评估造成障碍。此外,企业与数字企业之间的联系有可能缓解这种认知障碍。利用基于中国出版企业数据的差异设计,我们发现我们的理论预测得到了实证支持。这项研究加深了我们对企业数字化创新、问题搜索理论和研发文献的理解。
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来源期刊
IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management
IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management 管理科学-工程:工业
CiteScore
10.30
自引率
19.00%
发文量
604
审稿时长
5.3 months
期刊介绍: Management of technical functions such as research, development, and engineering in industry, government, university, and other settings. Emphasis is on studies carried on within an organization to help in decision making or policy formation for RD&E.
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