The Impact of Geopolitical Risks on Digital Innovation Among Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises in Beijing
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Against the backdrop of an increasingly complex geopolitical environment, geopolitical risks have become a key external variable influencing digital innovation among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Focusing on SMEs in Beijing, this study employs a questionnaire survey to explore the internal mechanisms through which geopolitical risks affect corporate digital innovation. The questionnaire survey of 102 SMEs in Beijing reveals that geopolitical risks exert a dual impact on corporate digital innovation-both inhibiting and driving it. Although enterprises have implemented self-help measures, their risk-resilience varies significantly. Enterprises have an urgent need for subsidy and financing policies, yet gaps remain in the current policy offerings. Based onfindings, these this paper develops a self-assessment tool for corporate geopolitical risks and offers practical insights from three dimensions: corporate risk assessment, government public services, and social science research and practice.At the same time, the paper objectively analyzes research limitations-such as sample distribution and analytical methods-to provide a reference for the digital development of Beijing’s SMEs and for subsequent related empirical studies.
DOI: 10.71204/txxsg368
Authors: Qingai Zhang, Han Zhang, Yunqian Cao, Yuxin Yang
Institution: Beijing City University
Language: English
Subfield: Strategy and Management
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W7225403015