Abstract Objective In an era of pervasive digital transformation, higher education institutions (HEIs) are compelled to strategically convert technological investments into sustainable value, yet the mechanisms driving this conversion remain undertheorized. Grounded in a synergistic integration of Dynamic Capabilities Theory and Organizational Climate Theory, this study investigates how academic staff perceptions of Information Technology (IT) Determinants positively influence Sustainable Innovation Performance (SIP). Furthermore, it examines the critical moderating role of the Digital Innovation Climate (DIC), hypothesizing that a robust climate amplifies the positive relationship between IT capabilities and sustainable innovation outcomes. Methodology A quantitative cross-sectional design was employed to test the proposed conceptual model. Data were collected via structured questionnaires from 300 academic staff members across HEIs in Egypt. The hypothesized relationships were analyzed using Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) to evaluate the direct effect of IT Determinants on SIP and the boundary conditions imposed by the digital innovation climate. Results The SEM analysis reveals that IT Determinants significantly and positively predict Sustainable Innovation Performance. Crucially, the Digital Innovation Climate exerts a significant moderating effect, substantially strengthening the positive impact of IT capabilities on SIP when the climate is supportive. Conversely, the findings indicate that a suboptimal or weak innovation climate constrains the effectiveness of technological investments, even when IT capabilities are highly developed. Conclusion This study demonstrates that technological capabilities alone are insufficient for driving sustainable innovation; their impact is fundamentally activated and optimized through a supportive organizational context. Theoretically, it advances the literature by bridging dynamic capabilities with contextual climate factors, moving beyond technocentric assumptions. Practically, it provides HEI leadership with evidence-based guidance to align IT infrastructure with climate-building initiatives, thereby cultivating long-term sustainable competitive advantages in the digital era.
Galal et al. (Thu,) studied this question.
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