Executive team's digital background, financial flexibility and corporate innovation: Evidence from China

Taking China's Shenzhen and Shanghai A-share non-financial listed companies as a research sample from 2018 to 2022, this study explores the relationship between executive team's digital background and corporate innovation. The empirical study shows that executive team's digital background can significantly promote corporate innovation. Financial flexibility plays a mediating role in the relationship between executive team's digital background and corporate innovation. In non-state-owned firms with longer executive tenure, executive team's digital background has a more significant effect on corporate innovation. This study provides theoretical support and practical guidance for strengthening corporate innovation.