Innovative Digital Technologies Research Articles

Impact of entrepreneurial orientation and ESG on environmental performance: moderating impact of digital transformation and technological innovation as a mediating construct using Sobel test

Impact of entrepreneurial orientation and ESG on environmental performance: moderating impact of digital transformation and technological innovation as a mediating construct using Sobel test

The impact of digital technology and technological innovation on environmental attitudes——insights from a cross-country survey

ABSTRACT The evolving landscape of digital technologies and technological innovations is reshaping our relationship with the environment. While empirical studies at the micro level have extensively examined the separate impacts of these advancements on environmental attitudes, a significant gap persists in understanding their collective influence at the macro level. To address this gap, our study investigates the impact of digital technology and technological innovation on environmental attitudes using data from 44,622 surveys across 28 countries, sourced from the International Social Survey Program. Our analysis reveals that country-level digital technology and technological innovation significantly influence individuals’ environmental attitudes. At the individual level, factors such as air pollution, the quality of the individual’s living environment, and education level play crucial roles in shaping these attitudes. Additionally, public trust in the media plays a significant moderating role in the relationship between digital technology and environmental attitudes. Our research contributes to the literature by simultaneously examining these factors at both individual and national levels. To gain citizens’ attitudes toward environmental protection, there is a need to strengthen the integration of technological innovation and environmental protection and to improve the authenticity of mass media materials while focusing on environmental governance.

Mapping the trajectories of digital technology innovation in the construction industry: an integrated SPNP and Louvain approach

PurposeDespite the continuous development and application of new digital technologies in the construction industry, there has been little research on digital technology trajectories in the construction industry. The study addresses the issue faced by the construction industry in exploring digital technology trajectories: how to comprehensively identify and analyse digital technology pathways across multiple technology fields in the construction industry.Design/methodology/approachFirstly, the digital technology patent identification and classification method based on text mining is used to identify digital technology patents and construct a digital technology innovation network. Second, the main path of the digital technology innovation network is identified with the help of SPNP. Then, the subpaths of the digital technology innovation network are identified with the help of the Louvain algorithm and SPNP. Finally, starting from the technology nodes where the main path and subpaths intersect, the technological similarity of the paths is analysed to explore the evolutionary characteristics of the technology trajectories. In light of this, the developed method is applied to the global construction industry patent dataset to analyse the trajectories of digital technologies.FindingsThe technological innovation path in the construction industry starts with construction materials and gradually expands to intelligence, automation and digital data processing technology. Equipment and devices with electronic digital data processing capabilities as well as improvements in green building technologies and user experience-enhancing technologies, may be the future of the construction industry. With the increasing demand for green buildings and intelligent buildings, the direction of digital technology innovation in the construction industry is gradually tilted towards these areas. In addition, influenced by geographic and economic factors, there is a spatial clustering effect of digital technology innovation in the construction industry.Research limitations/implicationsFuture research should analyse in depth the performance of different countries and regions in digital technology innovation and explore the root causes, motivations and influencing factors behind it, such as the policy environment, the level of the economy and the investment in research and development. Exploring the reasons affecting digital technology innovation can help formulate more targeted policies and promote cooperation and exchange of digital technology innovation in the global construction industry. Meanwhile, to solve the problems of overly broad IPC categorization and the difficulty of accurately describing cross-field innovations, combining IPC co-occurrence networks with patent citation networks is an effective strategy. This strategy can track technologically interrelated patents and provide more specific contents to know the advantages and challenges of the construction industry in the field of digital technology innovation.Practical implicationsThe study has practical implications for the construction industry. The identification of digital technology innovation trajectories provides valuable insights for industry firms and research institutes. It helps them understand the current and future directions of digital technology in construction, enabling them to stay at the forefront of technological advancements. The findings highlight the importance of focusing on areas such as solar energy utilisation, green energy, intelligence, automation and data applications. This knowledge can guide firms in developing new building materials, incorporating digital information technologies and enhancing user experiences. The study’s results can inform strategic decision-making, technology adoption and innovation management in the construction sector.Social implicationsThe social implications of this study are significant for various stakeholders. The identification of digital technology innovation trajectories in the construction industry highlights the potential benefits for society. The focus on green energy, intelligent buildings and enhanced user experiences aligns with the increasing demand for sustainability, energy efficiency and comfortable living environments. These technological advancements can contribute to reducing environmental impact, improving quality of life and promoting sustainable development. The findings can inform policymakers, urban planners and architects in shaping regulations, designing sustainable cities and creating buildings that prioritize energy efficiency and user well-being. Ultimately, the study’s social implications aim to foster a more sustainable and livable built environment.Originality/valueAn identification method integrated with SPNP and the Louvain algorithm is developed to map digital technology innovation trajectories in the construction industry. This study helps to reveal the trajectories of digital technology innovation, provides new perspectives, insight and ideas for research in related fields and has great potential for applications in practice to promote the innovation and development of the construction industry.

Fostering Inclusive Green Growth in Chinese Cities: Investigating the Role of Artificial Intelligence

In the new round of global technological revolution and industrial transformation, artificial intelligence (AI) provides an opportunity to foster urban inclusive green growth (IGG). On the basis of scientifically measuring the IGG level and AI development level of Chinese cities from 2010 to 2022, this paper systematically explores the impact and internal mechanism of AI on IGG. This study finds that AI development significantly promotes urban IGG, and this conclusion still holds after a series of robustness and endogeneity tests. The effect of AI on IGG will exhibit heterogeneity because of differences in urban characteristics such as government financial support, information infrastructure development, and innovation and entrepreneurship vitality. Mechanism test reveals that AI development fosters urban IGG through digital technology innovation and industrial structure optimization. Furthermore, AI development has a positive spatial spillover effect on IGG in neighboring cities. This study provides valuable theoretical insights and policy ideas for planning in emerging economies to promote high-quality economic development and ecological civilization through the application of AI technology.

The Application of Digital Construction Technology in the Process of Smart City Construction

Digital construction technology is essential to achieving high-quality construction in smart cities. This article introduces the application of digital construction technology in smart city construction from the background of smart cities, such as 3D modeling technology, digital twin technology, and artificial intelligence technology. This article conducts qualitative research through literature analysis, exploring the application process, significance, and value of digital construction technology in the process of smart city construction, then discussing its current situation and shortcomings and proposing suggestions. Digital construction technology has been extensively utilized in various fields such as intelligent manufacturing and smart cities and has been introduced into the construction industry. However, model accuracy, data effectiveness, real-time interaction, and comprehensiveness need to be improved, which cannot fulfill the requirements of deep-level applications. In the future, cities will further promote the upgrading of infrastructure and software for digital construction technology, as well as the integration and innovation of AI technology and digital construction technology. Smart cities are anticipated to reach an advanced level of city intelligence and achieve sustainable, efficient, and people-oriented high-quality city development.

Impact of Leadership on Sales Performance Mediated by Digital Intellectuality and Innovation in Aceh Province, Indonesia

This study investigates how transformational and adaptive leadership influence sales performance in retail stores in Aceh Province, Indonesia, with digital intellectuality as a mediator and technological innovation as a moderator. Primary data were collected via a questionnaire distributed to 300 owners and employees of minimarkets, grocery stores, and cafes in North Aceh Regency, Bireuen Regency, and Lhokseumawe City. Using Structural Equation Modeling with Partial Least Squares (SEM-PLS) for analysis, the findings reveal that both leadership styles positively impact digital intellectuality, which enhances technological innovation and boosts sales performance. Transformational leadership significantly mediates the relationship between digital intellectuality and sales performance, while adaptive leadership indirectly influences sales performance through digital intellectuality and technological innovation, highlighting the critical role of leadership in optimizing sales outcomes.

Cluster Dimensions of the Space of a New Residential District of Ukrainian ‘Post-Socialist’ City

The article presents research material devoted to new dimensions of the spatial organization of residential areas of Ukrainian “post-socialist” city. He is currently faced with the challenges of military actions aimed at destroying the urban environment of Ukrainian cities. Residential areas of the micro-district type of the “post-socialist” city are mostly built on the basis of the postulates of functionalism. In the theory and practice of urban planning, they did not foresee the vulnerability of objects of necessary and social infrastructure. The criteria of centrality, as focus of concentration of functions of the spatial organization of the city, are currently being transformed into criteria of dispersion. Functional zoning acquires the multiplicative nature of multidimensional functional zoning. Fractal urbanism methodology assumes local freedom and global cohesion of individual urban planning elements. New exponential organizational structures with innovative digital technologies create “breakthrough” models of development. One of which is the urban planning cluster. The new residential area “Levada-2” in the city of Poltava (Ukraine) is presented, which demonstrates the latest approaches in the cluster organization of living space.

Hand in hand or left behind: The dual impact of leading firms’ digital technologies on industry digital transformation

This study, utilizing Chinese listed companies from 2007 to 2022, reveals that enterprises can improve their digital transformation strategies by learning from the digital technologies of industry-leading companies. By free-riding on technology adoption, enterprises can reduce their R&D investments in implementing digital transformation projects, as existing digital technologies can be copied and improved for their own use. Furthermore, we find that firms with stronger research capabilities are more efficient at learning from leading firms’ digital technologies. Better digital technologies not only optimize a firm’s strategic plan for digital transformation but also enhance the actual implementation of such projects. This enhancement is achieved by easing financing constraints and diversifying the upstream chain. Our findings are robust to alternative variable measures and endogeneity tests. Overall, we highlight the technological spillovers of digital technology innovations by leading firms, facilitating a deeper digital transformation of other firms through various governance channels.

Can ESG ratings drive digital innovation in enterprises? Exploring Porter's hypothesis in the digital era

AbstractThe holistic reshaping and advancement of the global economy inherently demand the creation of synergies between digitization and environmentally sustainable development practices. This study pioneers an evaluation of the impact of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) ratings on corporate digital technology innovation, contrasting with existing literature. Using data from A‐share listed firms for 2011–2020, our research reveals that implementing ESG ratings stimulates corporate digital technology innovation across various dimensions, thereby confirming the presence of the Porter hypothesis in the digital era. Furthermore, these findings are substantiated through the utilization of various methodologies, such as synthetic difference‐in‐differences (SDID), multi‐period DID, event studies, and staggered DID. In addition, mechanism tests delve into the underlying channels through which ESG ratings stimulate corporate digital technology innovation, elucidating their ability to promote innovation through motivation stimulus and resource supply effects. Moreover, the heterogeneity analysis carried out in this study uncovers diverse effects on digital technology innovation stemming from factors such as firm characteristics, industry competitiveness, industry nature, regional intellectual property protection (IPP), and factor market development. Nevertheless, companies should refrain from blindly pursuing high ESG ratings to avoid overcorrecting because there is an inverse U‐shape relationship between ESG ratings and corporate digital technology innovation. These findings provide the theoretical basis and empirical evidence for the widescale utilization of ESG ratings. Thus, they offer useful guidance for executives and other policymakers aiming to foster a win–win scenario of digitization and green development.

Digital narratives and historical representation: A review - analyzing how digital mediums are revolutionizing the way history is taught and perceived

This study critically examines the transformative impact of digital narratives on historical representation, focusing on how digital mediums have revolutionized the way history is taught, perceived, and interacted with. Employing a systematic literature review and content analysis methodology, the research analyzes data from peer-reviewed articles, books, and digital platforms published between 2013 and 2023. The study's objectives include exploring the emergence and evolution of digital narratives in historical education, assessing their methodological approaches, and evaluating their educational, cultural, and technological impacts. Key findings reveal that digital narratives have significantly altered historical representation, introducing interactive storytelling techniques, democratizing historical knowledge, and integrating advanced technologies like AI and VR in historical education. These narratives have enhanced accessibility and engagement but also presented challenges such as the digital divide, the need for standardization, and potential biases in historical interpretation. The study concludes that the future landscape of historical representation in the digital age is poised to balance traditional and digital methodologies, emphasizing inclusivity and technological innovation. Recommendations are provided for educators, policy makers, and technologists to collaboratively create an accessible, accurate, and engaging digital historical landscape. Future research directions include investigating the long-term impacts of digital narratives on historical understanding, developing pedagogical strategies for digital history education, and exploring ethical considerations in digital historical representation. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the dynamic role of digital narratives in shaping historical knowledge and education in the digital era.

Cluster Dimensions of the Space of a New Residential District of Ukrainian ‘Post-Socialist’ City

The article presents research material devoted to new dimensions of the spatial organization of residential areas of Ukrainian “post-socialist” city. He is currently faced with the challenges of military actions aimed at destroying the urban environment of Ukrainian cities. Residential areas of the micro-district type of the “post-socialist” city are mostly built on the basis of the postulates of functionalism. In the theory and practice of urban planning, they did not foresee the vulnerability of objects of necessary and social infrastructure. The criteria of centrality, as focus of concentration of functions of the spatial organization of the city, are currently being transformed into criteria of dispersion. Functional zoning acquires the multiplicative nature of multidimensional functional zoning. Fractal urbanism methodology assumes local freedom and global cohesion of individual urban planning elements. New exponential organizational structures with innovative digital technologies create “breakthrough” models of development. One of which is the urban planning cluster. The new residential area “Levada-2” in the city of Poltava (Ukraine) is presented, which demonstrates the latest approaches in the cluster organization of living space.

The impact of digital technology training on developing academics’ digital competence in higher education context

PurposeA new normal regarding teaching and learning has been established after COVID-19. The present study aims to examine the effectiveness of digital technology training on developing academics’ digital competence in higher education context. A conceptual model was developed using stimulus–organism–response (SOR) theory. Additionally, this study investigates the mediating effect of transfer of learning and the moderating effect of innovative climate in the relation between trainer capability and academics’ digital competence.Design/methodology/approachIn total, 24 digital technology training sessions were organized. Data were collected from the 24 digital technology training sessions with 384 participants and analyzed using SPSS PROCESS macro.FindingsThe results indicated that digital technology training content and trainer capability were positively associated with academics’ digital competence. Mediation analysis indicated that transfer of learning mediated the relation between trainer capability and digital competence. Moderated mediated analysis revealed that the relationship between trainer capability and transfer of learning is stronger under a higher innovative climate.Originality/valueThis study contributes to the literature by applying the SOR theory in the context of digital technology training, providing a novel theoretical perspective on how digital training influences academics’ digital competencies. The study offers empirical evidence on the underlying process regarding the effect of digital technology training on academics’ digital competence. The findings revealed that transfer of learning as well as innovative climate play important intervening roles in enhancing academics’ digital competence. Higher education institutions can implement policies to promote the transfer of learning and innovative climate, allowing academics to learn innovative digital technology.

A long journey from telemedicine to digital (public) health: the vision of different stakeholders

Abstract The healthcare system willingly adopts new innovative means of communication and solutions offered by computer science. Telemedicine was one of the first terms used in this context. It was initially associated with providing medical services but quickly extended to other areas of health-related activities, including public health. The growth of the global web yielded new prospects for the provision of health services, also resulting in new terms to name the use of information and telecommunication technologies in healthcare. E-health, stemming from the end of 90ies in the 20th century, was initially defined as a new domain strongly associated with public health, especially in the context of access to health information. Quickly, its understanding was extended to all health-related interventions based on innovative digital technologies. Today, digital health and digital public health have emerged as the key terms, signifying the next phase of emerging applications that leverage the advancements made on the technical front. The medical community is probably more inclined to use the former term, while public health professionals are dedicated to the latter. But do these terms carry distinct meanings? Or is it merely a matter of the professional group’s background? Is the focus on individual or population health a differentiating factor? In the meantime, business and technical communities have developed the concept of Health 4.0. This concept emphasizes using technologies like the Internet of Things, cloud computing, big data, and artificial intelligence. However, digital (public) health benefits hugely from these solutions. One can ask whether every professional community needs other concepts and new terms for naming fields, resulting from the multidisciplinary effort. And where are the plain people in this landscape? Do they have sufficient digital and health literacies to accept new modes of health service delivery?

Constitutional Guarantees of Intellectual Property Protection in the Context of Digital Transformation: Ukrainian Experience

The purposes of this research are to determine the legal status of intellectual property in the context of digital transformation; to analyse the role of innovative digital technologies in the legal regulation of intellectual property issues; to provide a detailed description of the measures of constitutional protection of intellectual property in the context of digital transformation in Ukraine; to systematize knowledge about constitutional guarantees of intellectual property protection; to determine the role of specialised courts in ensuring intellectual property protection; to provide specific proposals for the development of the legal framework for intellectual property protection. An important aspect of the current study is an in-depth analysis of the challenges and threats of digital transformation to intellectual property. In order to achieve this purpose, the following methods were used: the general philosophical method, the method of system analysis, synthesis, the dialectical method and the formal logical method, the method of deduction and induction. These methods have been used to formulate scientifically significant and practical conclusions on proposals for improving intellectual property legislation in line with the challenges and threats of digital transformation, as well as to provide interim conclusions in accordance with the research purpose.

The relationship between ESG ratings and digital technological innovation in manufacturing: Insights via dual machine learning models

In the era of the current scientific and technological revolution and industrial transformation, digital technology innovation serves as a critical driver for the high-quality development of manufacturing enterprises. The dual attributes of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) ratings, encompassing "internal governance" and "external support," play a pivotal role in propelling digital technology innovation within these enterprises. This study utilizes a dual machine learning approach to empirically investigate the influence of ESG ratings on the digital technology innovation of manufacturing enterprises and explores the underlying mechanisms. Findings indicate that ESG ratings significantly boost digital technology innovation by alleviating financial market constraints, enhancing customer stability in the product market, elevating human resource levels, and increasing innovation awareness and efficiency. These improvements occur through the mechanisms of "external support" and "internal governance." Moreover, the study reveals that ESG ratings substantially enhance digital technology innovation in state-owned and high-tech manufacturing enterprises, in contrast to their limited impact on non-state-owned and non-high-tech counterparts. Conclusively, the paper proposes policy recommendations focused on heightening enterprise and societal awareness of ESG importance, intensifying supervision and enforcement, and refining the ESG rating system.

Research on the Development Path of Industrial Internet Eco-Platform in the Context of China's Economic Digitization

The continuous innovation and promotion of digital technology represented by big data, cloud computing and artificial intelligence have accelerated the development of a new round of technological revolution. The new round of technological revolution presents intelligent and networked characteristics, digital economy and digital technology to empower China's economic form to digital transformation, giving rise to a number of new business forms, new models, and bringing new opportunities. However, China is still facing problems such as a large digital divide, digital security threats, difficulties in implementing digital taxes, serious non-tariff barriers, difficulties in the digital transformation of enterprises and a lack of digital talents. Therefore, relevant research on the connotation and characteristics of the digitalisation of China's economy should be strengthened to provide theoretical support for China's economic transformation and high-quality development.

A Study on the Impact of Digital Transformation on Enterprise Performance: The Mediating Role of Dual Innovation and the Moderating Role of Management Power

Digital transformation and technological innovation have an essential impact on enterprise performance, and clarifying the relationship between the two has become a real problem that enterprise management needs to solve. This study utilizes data from China’s listed enterprises between 2012 and 2022 to comprehensively analyze the influence and mechanism of digital transformation on enterprise performance. The findings indicate the following: (1) Digital transformation can effectively promote improving enterprise performance and dual innovation levels. (2) Digital transformation positively impacts enterprise performance primarily through enhanced exploitative innovation, exploratory innovation, dual innovation balance, and complementarity. (3) Managerial power positively moderates the promotion effect of digital transformation on enterprise performance. (4) The impact of digital transformation on enterprise performance is more significant in the eastern and central regions, high-tech industries, and enterprises with good profitability. Based on these results, enterprises are suggested to accelerate digital transformation, fully tap the synergistic driving effect of dual innovation, strengthen the management’s cognition and leadership of digital transformation, and implement dynamic and differentiated digital transformation strategy based on region, industry, and their own characteristics.

Analysis of the Competitiveness of Digital Service Trade Between China and RCEP Partner Countries

Abstract: Based on the digital service trade data from China and RCEP partner countries from 2008 to 2022, this study analyzes the current status of digital service trade, including export scale, structure, and policies. It calculates the international market share and trade competitiveness index, and provides an in-depth analysis of the overall competitiveness of digital service trade and the competitiveness levels by industry within RCEP countries. The study finds that while the international competitiveness of digital service trade between China and RCEP partner countries is relatively weak, the development speed is relatively fast. In response, China should increase efforts in digital infrastructure construction with RCEP partners, promote digital technology research and innovation; enhance digital security and privacy protection, and improve relevant laws and policies; reduce barriers to digital service trade, and increase the influence in formulating digital trade rules; strengthen political mutual trust among RCEP countries, and deepen cooperation in digital service trade.

The impact of data factor-driven industry on the green total factor productivity: evidence from the China

Data factors have become an essential factor of production in today’s digital era, and provided renewed energy for China’s green and high-quality development. This study analyses the impact of data factor-driven industries on green total factor productivity (GTFP) and the underlying mechanisms using panel data of 277 Chinese cities from 2008 to 2020. The results show that: First, the urban data factor-driven industry can enhance GTFP. Second, the data factor-driven industry can increase the input–output ratio and enhance GTFP by promoting AI technological innovation and AI technological entrepreneurship. Third, the heterogeneity analysis show that in regions with high levels of digital technological innovation, the market size of data factor-driven industries is larger and the effect of data factor-driven industries in enhancing GTFP is more significant. And in regions with low levels of savings, the data factor-driven industry has limited capital availability and is more efficient in using capital, which has a stronger effect on GTFP enhancement. This study provides valuable empirical evidence on the relationship between data factor-driven industries and urban GTFP, and important policy implications for fully leveraging the green economic effects of data factors, and promoting green and high-quality urban development.

Digital technology innovation and synergy of pollution control and carbon reduction: empirical evidence from digital patents in Chinese cities

Digital technology innovation and synergy of pollution control and carbon reduction: empirical evidence from digital patents in Chinese cities