Executives with overseas return backgrounds and corporate digital transformation

This paper takes A-share listed companies in Shanghai and Shenzhen from 2012 to 2022 as research samples to analyze the impact of senior executives with returnee background on enterprises’ digital transformation. The results show that: (1) senior executives with returnee background can significantly promote enterprises’ digital transformation; (2) Senior executives with returnee background will promote digital transformation of enterprises by increasing R&D investment, and R&D investment of enterprises plays an intermediary role between the two. The research conclusions enrich the relevant research on the influencing factors of enterprises’ digital transformation, and help promote enterprises to adapt to the trend of digital development, accelerate the process of digitalization, and improve the competitiveness of the industry.