Digital transformation and enterprise resilience: Enabling or burdening?

Abstract

Based on data from A-share listed companies from 2007 to 2021, this study constructs an enterprise resilience index using the entropy-weighted TOPSIS method. On this basis, the impact of digital transformation on enterprise resilience is examined through empowerment theory. The empirical results indicate that digital transformation significantly enhances enterprise resilience, a conclusion that remains valid after a series of robustness tests. Mechanism analysis reveals that digital transformation enhances enterprise resilience by reducing agency costs, increasing information transparency, and alleviating financing constraints. Heterogeneity analysis shows that micro-characteristics of enterprises, such as the stage of the life cycle and factor intensity, as well as macro-environmental factors like regional intellectual property rights protection and industry competition level, have differential impacts on the resilience-enhancing effects of digital transformation. Further analysis suggests that the level of corporate governance influences the positive impact of digital transformation on enterprise resilience.