A Fuzzy‐Set Qualitative Comparative Analysis of Factors Influencing Servitization Transformation Performance in Chinese Manufacturing Enterprises

Abstract

The development of manufacturing industry affects the operation of Chinese economy, and it is necessary to study the possible configuration paths of servitization transformation to support sustainable development. Based on previous studies of manufacturing servitization transformation, it is extended to explore multifactor combinations which affects servitization transformation performance. This paper constructs technology-organization-environment (TOE) framework of servitization transformation performance evaluation and uses fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) method to analyze the key factors and mechanism of servitization transformation with the data of 28 Chinese manufacturing enterprises. The results reveal that the six major factors are not the necessary conditions, and single-factor cannot effectively promote servitization transformation of Chinese manufacturing enterprises. There are four configurations which can be divided into three paths to improve servitization transformation performance. Based on the results of analysis, it proposes strategies to promote the development of Chinese manufacturing enterprises, such as developing targeted servitization strategies, enhancing technology development, and improving technology applications. The findings reveal the mechanism of multiple factors behind the evolution of manufacturing servitization transformation and take useful suggestions for the high-level development of Chinese manufacturing enterprises.

The effect of servitising level on firm performance of listed Chinese sporting goods manufacturing companies—With moderated mediation effect

“…In China, Weng et al [21] previously analyzed the mechanism underlying the negative impact of servitization transformation on enterprise performance from the perspective of financial and marketing differentiation. Xiao [22] further confirmed that the total number of service business types (breadths) involved in enterprises is negatively related to corporate profit margins and market value. (3) Complex relationships and noncorrelations: After the servitization paradox was first proposed, scholars further uncovered more complex relations, including the positive "U" type [23], inverted "U" type [24], saddle type [25] and no correlation [26].…”

Influencing factors and improvement paths of manufacturing innovation performance: Configuration analysis based on TOE framework

“…In recent years, TOE framework has been used in the manufacturing industry. For example, TOE framework was used to identify the factors that influence the performance of service transformation in manufacturing firms [14]. TOE framework was used to identify the factors that influence firm's digital innovation [15].…”

Breaking away from servitization paradox to improve manufacturing enterprises' service innovation performance: the roles of market orientation and service supply chain dynamic capability

“…Servitization transformation and upgrading has become an important way for manufacturing enterprises to achieve long-term development and performance improvement (Feng et al, 2021;Gao et al, 2023;Liao et al, 2022). The product-centered manufacturing enterprises have increasingly turned to service-centered ones to provide additional services for their core products to promote user value (Raddats et al, 2019), improve user satisfaction (Qi et al, 2020), or get rid of problems such as intensified market competition and reduced product profits caused by homogeneous products (Nasifoglu Elidemir et al, 2020).…”