Can digital technology drive the integration of sports and health industries? Evidence from global businesses.

ABSTRACT

The integration in sports and health industries is attracting increasing research attention, however, there is less empirical evidence about role of digital technology adoption in affecting the industrial integration. This article extends relevant research from intra-state to including cross-board cases by combing data of merger and acquisition (M&A) in global sports and health industries as well as the country-level digital adoption index. It is shown that the integration in sports and health industries is positively associated with the digital technology adoption that the country in which the acquiror firm is located. Thus, it is beneficial for policymakers to promote the digital technology use when aiming to encourage the spontaneous industrial integration in sports and health industries.