Entrepreneurial spirit and digital technology innovation in private enterprises : evidence from China

Entrepreneurial spirit is a key driver of digital technology innovation and high-quality economic growth in private enterprises. Using panel data from China’s A-share listed private firms from 2017 to 2022, this paper empirically examines the impact of entrepreneurial spirit on digital technology innovation and explores the underlying mechanisms. The results indicate that: (1) entrepreneurial spirit significantly enhances digital technology innovation in private enterprises, and this relationship remains robust after endogeneity and a series of robustness tests; (2) mechanism analysis shows that entrepreneurial spirit promotes digital innovation through R&D investment, managerial digital innovation orientation, and the application of data factors; (3) heterogeneity analysis indicates that entrepreneurial spirit has a stronger effect in promoting digital technology innovation among private enterprises with higher digital innovation quality, larger firm size, and located in provinces with smaller per capita arable land area; and (4) further analysis shows that the improvement of the business environment– including the market, administrative, legal, and cultural dimensions–can effectively enhance the role of entrepreneurial spirit in promoting digital technology innovation among private enterprises. This study provides insights for fostering entrepreneurial spirit among private enterprises, unleashing the digital technology innovation vitality, and promoting high-quality development.