Abstract
Promoting enterprise digital technology innovation is important
for facilitating the deep integration of the digital economy and the real
economy. Using data from listed companies in the A-share market and the Global
Patent Database from 2014 to 2020, this study found that the implementation of
employee stock ownership plans by enterprises significantly promotes digital
technological innovation by enhancing the stability of hired employees,
strengthening the level of risk-taking, and improving financing constraints.
Further analysis reveals that the implementation of an employee stock ownership
plan has a more significant effect on the digital technology innovation of
private enterprises, enterprises with higher annual turnover rates and
enterprises with more negative news coverage. Based on these findings, we
propose accelerating institutional innovation, improving the financing support
system, and implementing differentiated policies to help enterprises better
adapt to the development needs of the digital economy and to provide a
reference for the formation of new types of production relations, the
development of new quality productive forces, and the promotion of high-quality
economic development.
JEL classification numbers: G34.
Keywords: Employee stock ownership plan, Digital technology
innovation, Risk taking, Financing constraints.