Digital transformation and corporate audit risk: Mediating effects of auditor behavior

Digital transformation has emerged as a critical factor in shaping the modern business landscape, with significant implications for corporate governance and audit risk. This study investigates the impact of digital transformation on corporate audit risk in Chinese A-share listed companies from 2011 to 2022. Employing comprehensive empirical analyses, we find that digital transformation significantly reduces corporate audit risk, with this relationship partially mediated by changes in audit fees, audit input, and audit opinions. The effects are more pronounced in state-owned firms. Our findings highlight the importance of integrating digital tools in auditing practices to mitigate risk and enhance audit quality. This study contributes to the understanding of how digital transformation influences auditor behavior and audit processes, providing valuable insights for policymakers and corporate managers in the digital era.