Science Research Management ›› 2025, Vol. 46 ›› Issue (12): 152-161.DOI: 10.19571/j.cnki.1000-2995.2025.12.015

• 6561D43B-1C2 • Previous Articles     Next Articles

Research on the impact of digital transformation strategy of enterprises on their commitment to internationalization

He Yining1, Wu Liang2, Cheng Cong2,3   

  1. 1. School of Management, Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou 310015, Zhejiang, China; 
    2. School of Management, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310023, Zhejiang, China; 
    3. China Institute for SMEs, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310023, Zhejiang, China
  • Received:2024-03-08 Revised:2025-01-09 Accepted:2025-01-10 Online:2025-12-20 Published:2025-12-15

Abstract:     In the face of the ongoing impact of the digital age and profound adjustments in the global economic landscape, how multinational enterprises leverage digital transformation to cope with a complex and changing international environment has become an urgent and significant issue. This paper examined the multinationals listed on the Shanghai and Shenzhen stock exchanges from 2012 to 2021 and utilized the panel regression methods to explore the impact of digital transformation strategy of enterprises on the commitment to internationalization and the moderating role of legitimacy contexts on this relationship. The study found that: (1) Both endogenousdriven strategy and platformdependent strategy enhance the construction of commitment to internationalization; (2) Successful experiences tend to solidify corporate mindsets and organizational structures, thereby weakening the promotive effect of endogenousdriven strategy on commitment to internationalization. Conversely, failed experiences, by promoting corporate reflection and learning, strengthen this positive relationship; (3) The environments with a high degree of institutional voids and cultural loose enhance the positive impact of platformdependent strategy on commitment to internationalization by providing a more tolerant and supportive developmental atmosphere. The conclusions of the research will advance the theoretical understanding of how digital transformation strategy of enterprises impact commitment to internationalization, and provide new perspectives and empirical evidence for Chinese multinational enterprises to utilize digital transformation to carve out international competitive advantages and deeply integrate into the global economy.

Key words: multinational enterprise, digital transformation strategy of enterprise, legitimacy context, commitment to internationalization