Abstract: Can the IT imprints experienced by executives during sensitive periods have a lasting impact on corporate behaviour and drive digital innovation? Based on the imprinting theory, using the data of the NEEQ-Listed Companies from 2013 to 2021, this paper empirically examine the effects and mechanisms of executives with information technology background influencing corporate digital innovation by identifying digital patents to measure corporate digital innovation through text analysis. The study shows that the larger the proportion of executives with IT education or experience, the more digital patents the enterprise obtains and the higher the quality, indicating that executives with IT background promote the "quantity and quality" of enterprise digital innovation; it is further found that executives with IT background promote enterprise digital innovation through the cognitive imprint of identifying digital innovation opportunities, the skill imprint of overcoming digital technology It is further found that executives with IT background promote digital innovation through the cognitive imprint of identifying digital innovation opportunities, the skill imprint of overcoming digital technology short-sightedness, and the relational network imprint of gathering innovation factors; and when market development is insufficient and property rights protection is absent, it is more obvious that executives with IT background promote digital innovation of enterprises. This paper extends the research on the antecedents of digital innovation to provide insights on promoting digital innovation from the perspective of talent allocation and talent development.

摘要： 敏感期形成的信息技术烙印能否持久影响高管行为，推动企业数字创新？基于烙印理论，利用2013-2021年新三板上市公司数据，通过文本分析识别数字专利，实证检验信息技术背景高管影响企业数字创新的效应与机制。研究表明，拥有信息技术求学或从业经历的高管比例越大时，企业获得数字专利越多、质量越高，说明信息技术背景高管推动了企业数字创新“量质齐升”；进一步发现，信息技术背景高管通过认知烙印识别数字创新机会、技能烙印克服数字技术短视、关系网络烙印集聚创新要素三类中介渠道促进企业数字创新；当市场发育滞后或产权保护不足时，信息技术背景高管推动企业数字创新更明显。本文拓展了数字创新的前因研究，从人才配置和人才培养视角推动数字创新提供启示。