Influencing Mechanism of Digital Literacy on Innovative Job Performance, The Mediating Role of Job Crafting

HRMARS - Purpose: This study employed the Job Demands-Resources (JD-R) model to examine how digital literacy influenced innovative job performance (IJP) through dual mediating mechanisms of promotion-focused and prevention-focused job crafting. It sought to clarify how digital literacy shaped the innovation outcomes of STTs via distinct job crafting orientations. Design/methodology/approach: Using a sample of 692 STTs from Specialized Refinement Differential Innovation (SRDI) “little giant” companies in China’s Yangtze River Delta region, this study employed Smart-PLS 4.1.1 for partial least squares structural equation modeling. The PLS-Predict procedure was used to assess out-of-sample predictive accuracy, ensuring analytical robustness and theoretical validity. Findings: Digital literacy enhanced IJP, positively shaping promotion-focused but negatively influencing prevention-focused job crafting. While promotion-focused crafting strengthened IJP, prevention-focused job crafting weakened it. Both mediating effects were significant, and the model exhibited strong predictive validity. Research limitations/implications: The sample focused on China’s SRDI “little giant” companies restricts generalizability. Future research should broaden contexts, adopt multidimensional digital literacy constructs, and apply longitudinal or multi-source designs to strengthen causal inference and cross-industry applicability. Practical implications: Findings provide empirical guidance for enhancing employee digital capabilities and IJP. Companies should integrate digital literacy development into talent strategies by refining training, task design, and resource allocation to foster promotion-focused job crafting while reducing prevention-focused behaviors. Originality/value: This study considered digital literacy as a critical individual resource within the JD-R model, revealing its dual mechanism of resource gain and obstacle avoidance, influencing IJP. It expanded theoretical boundaries and empirical evidence on employee innovation performance in the digital era.