Navigating uncertainty: The impact of environmental instability on enterprise digital transformation

PLoS One. 2024 Dec 5;19(12):e0314688. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0314688. eCollection 2024.

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of environmental uncertainty on the digital transformation of Chinese A-share listed companies from 2013 to 2022. Our empirical analysis reveals that environmental uncertainty negatively affects digital transformation by inducing managerial myopia, hindering research and development (R&D) investment, and exacerbating financial constraints. However, these negative effects can be mitigated by increasing management shareholding, which aligns managers' interests with long-term goals, providing digital transformation subsidies to lower financial barriers, and fostering a favorable legal environment to protect digital investments and innovation. These findings offer valuable insights for understanding how environmental uncertainty influences digital transformation strategies and provide practical implications for enterprises and policymakers in dynamic business environments.

MeSH terms

  • China
  • Commerce
  • Environment*
  • Humans
  • Investments
  • Uncertainty

Grants and funding

This study was funded by the Integrated Characteristic Development Project of Guangxi Minzu Normal University (Applied Economics Discipline - International Business Master's Program), Grant Nos. 1024/10300130; JGYTH2403; JGYTH2404, and Guangxi Minzu Normal University, High-level Personnel Research Fund Project, Grant No. 2024SBNGCC08. These funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. No additional external funding was received for this study.