Influence of digitalisation on business success in Austrian Traded Prime Market Companies – a longitudinal study

Abstract

Abstract The paper examines whether software investments have an impact on the economic success of the companies listed on the Austrian Traded (ATX) Prime market. A literature review and qualitative content analysis are performed to answer the research questions. For testing hypotheses, a longitudinal study is conducted. Over a ten-year period, the consolidated financial statements of the businesses under review are evaluated. A panel will assist with the data analysis. This study offers notable distinctions from other research that has investigated the correlation between digitalisation and economic success. The present research employs a methodology that involves quantifying the extent of digitalisation by conducting a thorough investigation of the group annual reports of the companies in the study. The regression analysis of all businesses revealed no correlation between software expenditures and economic success. The qualitative content analysis demonstrated that organisations belonging to the finance sector are particularly engaged in numerous digitalisation efforts. Consequently, separate regression models were computed for finance and non-finance companies. The correlation between software investments and economic success in both industries is evident. JEL codes: O33, E22, G21