Digital transformation and customer enterprise innovation - From the perspective of supply chain spillover effects

Abstract

This study employs a sample of A-share listed companies spanning 2007 to 2022 to theoretically analyze and empirically examine the impact and mechanisms through which suppliers' digital transformation influences innovation in customer enterprises. The results demonstrate that suppliers' digital transformation significantly enhances innovation outcomes among downstream customers. Mechanism analysis reveals that this effect operates through two distinct channels: first, by promoting supply chain financial development, and second, by reducing supply-demand coordination costs through supply chain spillover effects. These findings remain robust to a battery of sensitivity tests. Further analysis indicates that suppliers' digital transformation not only improves innovation efficiency but also elevates innovation quality in customer enterprises.