Impact of CEO’s scientific research background on the enterprise digital level

Abstract Leveraging the Chinese capital market, we investigate the relationship between a CEO’s scientific research background and the level of digitalization within enterprises. Our results demonstrate robust findings indicating that a CEO’s scientific research background significantly enhances the level of enterprise digitalization. Moreover, we observe that this correlation is more pronounced in companies controlled by non-state-owned enterprises, those operating within a more advanced digital economy, and those engaged in high levels of regional integration. Furthermore, we establish that the positive impact of a CEO’s research background on a company’s digitalization level is primarily driven by fostering the organization’s innovation drive. Overall, our research suggests that CEOs with scientific research backgrounds are instrumental in encouraging a culture of innovation within their firms, thereby enhancing enterprise digitalization performance. This study contributes to the literature by exploring the factors influencing enterprise digitalization levels through the lens of managerial experience and analyzing the economic implications of management experience on enterprise digital transformation. Methodologically, we have refined and enhanced the measurement approach for assessing enterprise digitalization levels. Practically, our findings underscore the importance of promoting cross-industry and cross-regional exchanges of high-caliber talent for executives, enterprises, and governmental entities alike.