Triggering disruptive technology absorptive capacity by CIOs. Explorative research on a micro-foundation lens

The pervasive dissemination of disruptive technologies such as Artificial Intelligences (AI) is rapidly changing the way small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are evolving and becoming more innovative. Individual technology absorptive capacity (TAC) is triggering the use of such technologies in a more effective, efficient, and easy mode by Chief Information Officers (CIOs). The CIO, albeit involved in the firm's micro level, encourages firms’ TAC at meso level. Although the CIO encourages the use of disruptive technologies, studies on this field are still scarce. This research bridges the gap in the literature, offering an empirical analysis of a large-scale sample of 754 CIOs from knowledge-intensive SMEs to evaluate TAC under a micro-foundation lens. The analysis provides detailed stimuli in rethinking the enhancement of CIOs, emphasizing the effect of the micro level in intercepting disruptive technologies, and optimizing investments in research and development in SMEs. The paper is part of a research line that highlights the relevant role of CIOs and the ability of firms’ TAC in Industry 4.0 at micro and meso levels. The study contributes to expanding solutions in the leveraging of disruptive technologies in the digital transformation era.