Thrive or dive: navigating the waves of mandatory digital transformation

Purpose The purpose of this study is to investigate the mediating influence of three digitalization antecedents on the links between digitalization and survival. It addresses the roots of digitalization to discover different patterns and foundations that contribute to higher survival rates. The article explores whether a learning strategy can attain survivability on its own or whether digitalization facilitates the function of learning in survival. Design/methodology/approach The study uses partial least squares structural equation modeling to analyze data from 483 firms to assess this study’s hypothesis. Additionally, necessary condition analysis (NCA) is used to specify the necessary conditions of survivability. Findings The authors find a positive relationship between digitalization and business survival, as well as evidence of the strong mediating effect of resilience and learning in survivability. In addition, the study reveals that digitalization can serve as a sufficient condition for survival but not a necessary one, as it may be replaced by the mediating variables. Research limitations/implications The research offers insights into digitalization’s impact on business survival but faces limitations such as geographic focus and reliance on self-reported data. Despite this, it contributes to theory and practice by exploring how digitalization, organizational capabilities and resilience intersect. Practical implications This study provides insights into the required parameters for survival and the elimination of outliers in NCA. Originality/value This work provides insights into different antecedents of digitalization and business survival.