Achieving Sustainable Innovation: A Fit Model of Digital Platforms and Absorptive Capacity

Huifang Wu (), Suicheng Li, Xinyi Zhang and Wenjing Hou
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Huifang Wu: School of Economics and Management, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710054, China
Suicheng Li: School of Economics and Management, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710054, China
Xinyi Zhang: School of Economics and Management, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710054, China
Wenjing Hou: School of Economics and Management, Xi’an University of Technology, Xi’an 710054, China

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 19, 1-18

Abstract: Although researchers have identified a strong correlation between digital platform usage and corporate sustainable innovation, a disconnect persists between the two. The primary factor causing this disconnect lies in the isolated application of digital platform capabilities and organizational capabilities. To bridge this gap, the study proposes that during the enhancement of sustainable innovation, corporate digital platform capabilities and absorptive capacity exhibit a synergistic effect. Based on resource orchestration theory, this study posits that the fit mechanism between digital platform capabilities and absorptive capacity drives corporate sustainable innovation. It analyzes the mediating role of the knowledge duality between this fit mechanism and sustainable innovation. Analysis of primary survey data reveals that the fit mechanism of digital platform capabilities and absorptive capacity effectively enhances sustainable innovation capabilities, with dual knowledge capabilities mediating between this fit mechanism and sustainable innovation. These findings enrich the theoretical framework for leveraging digital platforms to achieve sustainable innovation, significantly supplementing research on the relationships among absorptive capacity, knowledge ambidexterity, and sustainable innovation. This study provides theoretical support for sustainable innovation research while offering practical guidance for practitioners.

Keywords: sustainable innovation; digital platforms; absorptive capacity; knowledge ambidexterity; fit model (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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