Impact of digital technology usage on firm resilience: a dynamic capability perspective
基于237家中国企业的调查数据，研究发现数字技术使用与企业韧性呈U型关系，且通过影响市场敏锐度和资源重构实现，为企业在动荡环境中提升韧性提供指导。
Purpose While the usage of digital technology can bring many operational improvements for firms, it is unclear whether it can effectively improve firm resilience to deal with supply chain disruptions caused by emergencies such as COVID-19. From a dynamic capability perspective, this study aims to investigate how digital technology usage can improve firm resilience in a rapidly changing and turbulent environment. Design/methodology/approach Based on the survey sample of 237 Chinese firms, the stepwise regression approach was used to examine the proposed research hypotheses. Findings The empirical evidence shows that digital technology usage has a U-shaped effect on firm resilience, and that effect is fully achieved by first affecting market acuity and then promoting resource reconfiguration. Moreover, the authors further found that the U-shaped association between digital technology usage and firm resilience is derived from the U-shaped association between digital technology usage and market acuity. Originality/value This study enriches the resilience literature by revealing the mechanism of digital technology usage’s effects rather than focusing on the role of specific digital technologies. This study also provides guidance for firms to develop effective digital technology usage strategies.