Cross-level influence mechanisms of digital transformation on employee innovation behaviour from a multidimensional capital perspective

Purpose Digital transformation has significantly impacted enterprises’ innovation management practices. However, most existing studies have focused on its impact at macro- and meso-levels, such as nations, industries and businesses. Drawing from micro-level perspectives and resource conservation theory, we explore the cross-level effects of digital transformation on employee innovation behaviour, considering the mediating roles of employees’ human capital, social capital and psychological capital. Design/methodology/approach We utilised data from 41 enterprises and 515 leader-employee paired questionnaires in the Yangtze River Delta region. Findings The results demonstrate that enterprise digital transformation positively impacts employee innovation behaviour. Specifically, digital transformation enhances employee innovation behaviour. Furthermore, human capital, social capital and psychological capital play a chain-mediating role in the impact of digital transformation on employee innovation behaviour. Originality/value This study extends the theoretical boundaries of digital transformation in innovation management research and offers valuable insights for enterprises aiming to leverage digital transformation to stimulate employee innovation behaviour from the perspective of employee multidimensional capital.