Integrating expertise and authority: The role of CEO's IT imprinting and power in shaping corporate AI patenting

Yang Liu, Fukang Zhang, Jiuchang Wei, Zuying Peng and Peng Cheng

Technovation, 2025, vol. 147, issue C

Abstract: Based on the imprinting theory, this study aims to investigate the influence of CEOs' information technology (IT) imprinting on corporate artificial intelligence (AI) patenting. By using a dataset comprising 2610 publicly listed companies in China from 2010 to 2020, our analysis reveals that firms led by CEOs with IT-related degrees are more inclined to foster enhanced AI patenting output. Furthermore, the study reveals that the positive relationship between a CEO's IT imprint and AI patenting is stronger when the CEO is younger or holds more power. Additionally, we explored the dual moderating effects of CEO age and power on this relationship. Our findings indicate that younger, more powerful CEOs with IT imprints are more likely to increase AI patent output. Further analysis underscores the significant contribution of CEOs with IT imprinting to exploitative AI patenting.

Keywords: AI patenting; CEOs' IT imprints; CEO power; Imprinting theory (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:techno:v:147:y:2025:i:c:s0166497225001403

DOI: 10.1016/j.technovation.2025.103308

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