The servitization transformation path of manufacturing enterprises under the background of the digital economy

To achieve the new technological revolution and escape the trap of low value production, it is inevitable to accelerate production servitization in the digital economy. In this thesis, a transformation mechanism composed of technological, organizational and environmental factors is built based on the RBV, dynamic capabilities, and resource dependence theory. Based on a sample of 102 companies from Shandong manufacturers in the year of 2023, using a mixed methods approach combining OLS regression and fsQCA, to explore the causal mechanisms and paths of servitization, this study analyzes the multiple-factors effects on servitization, conditional configurations, and cases. The study contributes to the theoretical knowledge and gives empirical findings to the policy makers and managers. Through a comprehensive analysis of influencing factors, conditional configurations, and causal processes, this study has identified the causal chain of "influencing factors - conditional configurations - development models" in manufacturing servitization. First, it concludes that the servitization of manufacturing does not rely on the driving force of a single factor, but is the result of the interaction of six factors - digital infrastructure, technological innovation, organizational structure, human resources, government support, and industry competition - all exert a significant positive promotional effect on this transformation. Among these factors, technological innovation provides a strong driving force for the servitization transformation of manufacturing, while human resources are an indispensable element for achieving high-level servitization transformation. Second, the differentiated development paths of manufacturing servitization can be categorized into three synergistic models: the "organization-environment" and "technology-organization" dual synergy models, and the "technology-organizationenvironment" triple synergy model. Finally, technological and environmental factors cannot function independently of organizational elements. In the process of manufacturing servitization, organizational elements serve as foundational and necessary conditions, technological elements act as driving forces, and the external environment impacts resource allocation and directional guidance, collectively promoting the advancement of manufacturing servitization.