How Artificial Intelligence Shapes the Human Capital Structure: Evidence from The Supply Chain Digitalization Pilots

Jiayi Fan

doi:10.54097/2qcqpz39

Authors

Jiayi Fan School of Economics and Management, Northeast Normal University, Changchun 130117, China

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.54097/2qcqpz39

Keywords:

Supply Chain Digitalization; Human Capital Level; Artificial Intelligence; Difference-in-Differences.

Abstract

Against the backdrop of the in-depth advancement of the Digital China initiative and the accelerated restructuring of supply chain systems, digital technologies are profoundly reshaping the internal factor allocation structure of enterprises by remodeling the information flow, capital flow and collaboration modes among them. Based on the data of A-share listed companies on the Shanghai and Shenzhen Stock Exchanges from 2013 to 2022, this paper takes the pilots of supply chain innovation and application as a quasi-natural experiment and employs the difference-in-differences method to investigate the impact of supply chain digitalization on enterprises' human capital structure and its underlying mechanisms. The study finds that supply chain digitalization drives the optimization of the human capital structure. Mechanism analysis shows that supply chain digitalization enhances enterprises' capacity to absorb high-skilled labor through channels such as raising enterprises' market attention, boosting public trust in brands, alleviating financing constraints and promoting the accumulation of digital intangible assets. Heterogeneity analysis reveals that this facilitating effect is more pronounced in enterprises facing higher external environmental uncertainty, operating in more competitive industries and located in the eastern region of China. From the perspective of supply chain network collaboration and factor reallocation, this paper uncovers the micro-mechanism through which digital policies drive the upgrading of corporate human capital, and provides empirical evidence and practical insights for deepening supply chain digitalization construction and optimizing the talent structure of enterprises.

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