Hua, Y.; Hou, F.; Ma, P.; Liu, S. and Guo, W. (2026) Exploring the impact of project team's digital capability on innovation performance: An integrated analysis using PLS-SEM and fsqca. Engineering, Construction and Architectural Management, 33(7), pp. 5695-5714. ISSN 0969-9988
Abstract
Purpose – Digital transformation has dramatically changed the way project teams create value. However, it remains unclear how project teams leverage their digital capability for value co-creation, which can improve their innovation performance. This paper proposes a theoretical framework exploring how digital capability affects the innovation performance of project teams. Design/methodology/approach – Based on a representative online survey, this paper investigates the impact of project team digital capability and value co-creation on innovation performance using PLS-SEM, and validates the mediating role of value co-creation. Different configurations of the dimensions of digital capability and value co-creation for innovation are further analyzed by using fsQCA. Findings – The results suggest that the digital capability of the project teams positively affects innovation performance. Value co-creation plays a mediating role in facilitating the impact of digital capability on innovation performance. The analysis of fsQCA identifies five configurations that trigger innovation performance. Originality/value – This study defines the digital capability of project teams, constructs the path of "digital capability-value co-creation-innovation performance", explains the mechanism between digital capability and innovation performance and expands the theory of value co-creation. Meanwhile, this study utilizes fsQCA to validate the effects of different configurations of conditions on innovation performance, which cross-validates the results of PLS-SEM and enriches empirical findings. Project managers should cultivate the digital capability of their teams from multiple dimensions. They should open access to information and communicate frequently within the project team, promote risk sharing and facilitate the transformation of digital capability into innovation through value co-creation.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Uncontrolled Keywords: | digital capability; innovation; value co-creation |
| Index terms: | access to information, dimension, project team, configuration, project manager, value co-creation, transformation, survey, innovation performance, methodology |
| Subjects: | value management, performance measurement, project delivery, data collection methods, research methods, social equity, systems engineering, business, profession, health monitoring assessment and metrics |
| Topics: | Business Strategy, Engineering Principles, Design Practice, Health and Safety, Ethics, Quality Management, Roles and Professions, Research Practice, Project Management |
| Descriptive scope: | 4 PCTE |
N.B. Descriptive scope is a count of how many of the five facets of empirical research are indicated by the words used in title, abstract and keywords. It is not intended as a judgement on the research; merely a count of the kind of word we would expect to indicate Phenomenon, Concepts, Theoretical framing, Empirical techniques, Analytical techniques. If all five are present, then a code of “5 PCTEA” will indicate this. If you feel the coding for this record is questionable, we welcome discussion around the terms we matched or the way we categorized them. The facet you would expect may not be coded, or a facet may be coded inappropriately. This can also bear on a larger question, of which facets should be treated as defining in construction management research. Please get in touch, and we will look at it. More details here