The observable technical knowledge possessed by managers represents merely the surface layer,while their underlying capabilities,often overlooked,play a critical role in determining the success or failure of an enterprise.These capabilities are also pivotal in influencing the digital transformation of enterprises.Addressing the significant practical issue of the low degree of digital transformation in resource-based enterprises in China,this study utilizes data from China’s resource-based listed enterprises spanning the period from 2012 to 2023 to conduct an empirical analysis,thoroughly examining the impact of managerial ability on the digital transformation of enterprises and its underlying mechanisms.The findings indicate that stronger managerial ability significantly enhances the digital transformation of resource-based enterprises.Mechanism analysis reveals that the enhancement of managerial capabilities facilitates digital transformation by promoting corporate strategic change and alleviating financing constraints,and providing impetus for digital transformation.Further research indicates that a chairman with a digital professional and academic background can more effectively leverage the capabilities of the management team,thereby facilitating the digital tran-sformation of resource-based enterprises.This study elucidates the internal mechanisms linking managerial competence to the digital transformation of such enterprises,offering substantial empirical evidence to support this process.Additionally,the findings hold significant implications for the comprehensive implementation of the digital economy development strategy in China.
高阶梯队理论认为,管理者作为企业未来发展方向的掌舵人,其能力会对企业决策产生重要影响(Hambrick et al.,1984)。尤其数字化转型是一种特殊的战略投资决策,涉及数字化技术与企业全方位的渗透结合,对管理者提出了更高要求,导致不同资源型企业数字化转型存在较大的差异。本文认为可能的原因在于:第一,能力较强的管理者具有更强的资源整合能力,可以更精准地把握行业现状和企业定位,灵活安排资源配置,使得数字化转型的各个阶段顺利进行(Marion et al.,2021);第二,能力较强的管理者具有更为丰富的经验和深厚的专业知识,对自身能力也更加自信,具有更强的数字技术创新意愿,不断推动企业数字化转型(Sulaiman et al.,2019);第三,能力较强的管理者具备的信号传递功能可以有效缓解代理问题,通过自身优异的管理能力获取股东和其他投资者的信任,有助于减少企业数字化转型实施过程中的阻力(Shleifer et al.,1989)。
企业管理者作为公司决策的主要制定者,在融资活动中扮演着重要角色(Tsai et al.,2022)。一方面,能力较强的管理者往往更清楚企业投融资行为中可能存在的问题,能够防患未然,为企业带来更多的机会和资源,在一定程度上拓展了企业的融资约束边界,为数字化转型奠定良好的基础(花俊国等,2021)。另一方面,管理者能力可以通过信号传递来缓解融资约束带来的负面影响,减轻了企业与外部投资者之间信息不对称问题,以降低企业融资成本,拓宽融资渠道,缓解企业融资约束问题(于迪等,2019)。基于以上分析,本文提出以下假说:
本文解释变量参考(Demerjian et al.,1973)采用DEA-Tobit两阶段模型估计管理者能力(MA)。操作步骤如下:第一步,运用DEA模型和投入产出函数计算企业效率;第二步,通过Tobit模型剔除企业特征对企业效率的影响。将模型(1)的计算结果代入模型(2)进行Tobit回归,得到的残差ε即管理者对企业效率的影响,用来测度管理者能力。
①战略变革(DS)。借鉴Geletkanycz(1997)的研究方法来测度企业战略与行业常规战略偏离程度。另外,由于企业战略模式不同,其资源分配情况也会形成差异(Lyon et al.,2000)。因此,本文借鉴胡志亮等(2022)的做法,基于管理费用投入程度、研发投入程度、固定资产更新程度、宣传投入程度、财务杠杆和资本密集程度这6个维度测量企业战略变革程度指标DS。②融资约束(FC)。融资约束大多通过综合指标进行衡量,包括FC指数、WW指数和KZ指数等,但WW指数和KZ指数存在一定程度上的内生性问题,因此,本文依据顾雷雷等(2020)的研究,采用FC指数衡量企业融资约束,指数越大,融资约束程度越大。
根据Chen et al.(2020)的研究方法,对模型(4)进行战略变革机制的中介效应检验,若模型(3)结果显著的前提下,模型(4)也显著,则管理者能力通过战略变革机制影响资源型企业数字化转型。如表6所示,管理者能力(MA)对融资约束(DS)的回归系数为正且在1%水平上显著,表明管理者能力越强,越能显著促进战略变革,进而推动资源型企业数字化转型。由此,H2得证。
(2)融资约束机制
根据Chen et al.(2020)的研究方法,对模型(5)进行融资约束机制的中介效应检验,若模型(3)结果显著的前提下,模型(5)也显著,则管理者能力通过融资约束机制影响资源型企业数字化转型。如表7所示,管理者能力(MA)对融资约束(FC)的回归系数在1%水平上显著为负,表明管理者能力越强,越有助于缓解资源型企业的融资约束程度,进而促进资源型企业数字化转型。由此,H3得证。
为减弱模型中可能存在的部分内生性问题。依据唐亚军等(2024)的做法,采用公司注册地所在地区的明朝进士数量(JS)作为工具变量进行内生性检验。根据烙印理论,管理者能力的提升离不开持续地学习,而教育是个体提升能力的重要手段。一个地区的教育氛围越浓厚,教育资源越丰富,那么该地区培养出的管理者的能力水平也就越高。同时,明朝进士数量对样本期间的资源型企业数字化转型并没有直接关联,满足排他性要求。科举制度最早作为中国选拔人才的重要手段,选拔出大量管理人才,其中进士是四类科举人才中影响最为广泛的人群,且明代科举内容逐渐从四书五经之学转向“经世致用”之学(李伯重,2004),这些内容培养的能力与Hambrick et al.(1984)指出的企业管理者应具备的能力要素相符,因此会对不同地区的管理者能力产生深远影响。本文内生性检验采用两阶段最小二乘法TSLS,检验结果见表10。
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