IMPACT OF DIGITALISATION AND INVESTMENTS IN INTANGIBLE CAPITAL ON THE NON-FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE OF FIRMS IN SLOVENIA

Abstract

Article examines the impact of digitalisation and intangible capital investment on the non-financial performance of firms in Slovenia. Article examines the relationship between: (1) digitalisation and firms’ nonfinancial performance; (2) digitalisation and firms’ attitude to digitalisation; (3) investments in intangible capital and firms’ non-financial performance; where we (4) also expect differences by industry and between firms operating in global value chains. Considering survey data, the SEM approach shows that, digitalisation and intangible investment both have positive effects on non-financial performance. Level of digitalisation depends on the importance attributed to digitalisation, whereas the importance of digitalisation depends on the expected long-term benefits of digitalisation for the firm. Level of digitalisation is dependent on the anticipated long-term benefits of digitalisation. These have a positive, yet non-significant impact on a firm’s level of digitalisation. Despite business agility having an impact on the importance of digitalisation for businesses that is less than the expected benefits, it is still highly significant. Other results were not statistically significant. Keywords: intangible capital, digitalisation, firm performance