Does data assetisation improve corporate liquidity and corporate growth? Evidence from “hidden champion” SMEs in China

Our study explores the association between data assetisation and corporate liquidity and growth. By examining China's "hidden champion" small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) sample from 2011 to 2021, we find that "hidden champion" SMEs with higher data assets exhibit higher liquidity and corporate growth (including promoting sales growth, increasing profitability and corporate value, and enhancing corporate resilience). Furthermore, corporate liquidity mediates the relationship between data assetisation and corporate growth. Regarding the influencing factors, when companies are in a mature stage, this can promote the enhancing effect of data assetisation on corporate liquidity, whereas when companies are in a decline stage, this inhibits the enhancing effect of data assetisation on corporate liquidity. Companies with higher industry competition and lower macroeconomic development enhance the effect of data assetisation on corporate liquidity. Our findings emphasise the development of data assetisation and its role in improving financing decisions and promoting the survival and sustainable development of "hidden champion" SMEs.