Paths for the Digital Transformation and Intelligent Upgrade of China's Discrete Manufacturing Industry

Abstract

The discrete manufacturing industry in China is currently being transformed and upgraded. Digital transformation and intelligent upgrade is an inevitable choice for China's discrete manufacturing industry, as intelligent manufacturing can promote the quality, efficiency, and competitiveness of discrete manufacturing. The sub-sectors of discrete manufacturing in China differ significantly and require diversified paths for digital transformation and intelligent upgrade. In this paper, we first summarize the typical characteristics of the discrete manufacturing industry, explore the challenges regarding the digital transformation and intelligent upgrade of the industry, and elaborate on common key technologies including advanced manufacturing, new-generation information, and new-generation artificial intelligence. Subsequently, we investigate four typical cases to present the frontier application progress in the field in China and propose the following key development tasks: (1) achieving breakthroughs in key enabling technologies for intelligent manufacturing, (2) developing intelligent manufacturing equipment, (3) building digital and intelligent workshops and factories, (4) providing digital and intelligent services, and (5) building standards and safety systems. Furthermore, it is necessary to accelerate pilot applications, highlight domestication, increase the reserve of high-tech talents, and formulate relevant laws and regulations in the future, to promote the high-quality development of China's discrete manufacturing industry.

Effect of digital transformation on labor income share in manufacturing enterprises: insights from technological innovation and industry–university–research collaborations

“…The reasons might be that the current industry-university-research cooperation of manufacturing enterprises is not tight enough and remains only at the theoretical level, lacking practical in-depth exchanges, such as in-depth enterprise visits and research by universities, and therefore does not have an impact on the effect of digital transformation on technological innovation (Li et al. , 2021).…”

“…Zheng and Jiang (2022) argued that cooperation between enterprises and research institutes could promote digital economy convergence and simultaneously promote the recognition of research institutes and the willingness of enterprises to transform digitally. Some scholars believed that the unions of industry, university and research could increase the level of digital transformation through talent, innovation (Su and Wang, 2023), and regulation (Li et al, 2021). The degree of industryacademia-research collaboration can have a significant impact on the ability of firms to receive a wealth of knowledge resources.…”

“…Manufacturing enterprises need certain innovation resources as well as the ability to carry out technological innovation. A higher industry-academia-research partnership can provide manufacturing enterprises with more knowledge resources needed for innovation (Su and Wang, 2023), which is conducive to the efficient use of digital transformation tools and promotes the level of technological innovation (Li et al, 2021). At the same time, universityindustry-research collaborations can make manufacturing enterprises more effective in promoting the transformation of their technological innovation capability into innovation results through academic achievements, and promote the close integration of digital transformation with the actual production situation of the manufacturing industry, which in turn enhances the output of technological innovation results.…”

“…Manufacturing enterprises need certain innovation resources as well as the ability to carry out technological innovation. A higher industry-academia-research partnership can provide manufacturing enterprises with more knowledge resources needed for innovation (Su and Wang, 2023), which is conducive to the efficient use of digital transformation tools and promotes the level of technological innovation (Li et al. , 2021).…”

Big Data Model of Digital Employees of High-Tech Enterprises under the Background of Digital Transformation

“…In order to maintain the stable development of enterprises, it is necessary to conform to the development trend of the times and the digital age although many companies regard digital transformation as a strategic focus and have invested in many companies' systems and equipment on the basis of digitalization [2,3]. However, the "2019 Chinese Enterprise Digital Transformation Index Research" pointed out that although China has achieved a substantial increase in revenue and sales, in terms of digital transformation, only 9 aspects have achieved obvious results, and many companies are still unable to achieve expected goals and e ect, facing the di culty of transformation.…”