A qualitative meta-analysis study on the digital transformation modes of Chinese manufacturing enterprises

doi:10.19571/j.cnki.1000-2995.2025.06.003

Abstract

Abstract: The digital transformation of manufacturing enterprises has increasingly become a hot spot for both academics and practitioners. Due to the complexity of transformation, the related mode and realization mechanism are still in the exploration stage. Using the method of qualitative meta-analysis and 53 research cases as objects, this paper expanded and deepened the dual perspectives of "process value-added-customer value-added" and explored the internal mechanisms of different digital transformation modes of Chinese manufacturing enterprises. The results showed that: First, the digital transformation consists of two paths, namely process value-added and customer value-added, which are manifested in the positioning of local digitization, global digitization and ecological digitization as well as the choice between goods-dominant logic and service-dominant logic. Second, according to the combination of differentiated paths, the transformation modes can be divided into such five types as leap-over type, reconfiguration type, incremental type, mixed type and disruptive type. Third, the internal mechanism of digital transformation mode can be analyzed by using the logical chain of "transformation context - behavioral mechanism-transformation result". Different digital transformation modes stem from the differentiated resource reorganization mechanism, institutional action mechanism, digital innovation mechanism and transformation results which result from transformation contexts. This study has innovatively extended the micro-combination mechanism of resource orchestration, institutional, and digital innovation theories within diverse digital transformation modes, with its conclusions being instructive and inspiring for both relevant theories and practical endeavors in the digital transformation of manufacturing enterprises.

Key words: manufacturing enterprise, digital transformation, transformation mode, qualitative meta-analysis

Cheng Xuanmei, Ge Fangting, Chen Kanxiang. A qualitative meta-analysis study on the digital transformation modes of Chinese manufacturing enterprises[J]. Science Research Management, 2025, 46(6): 21-33.

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A qualitative meta-analysis study on the digital transformation modes of Chinese manufacturing enterprises

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