Digital transformation and firm performance in manufacturing: The role of servitization and corporate entrepreneurship

IF 14 1区管理学 Q1 BUSINESS

Journal of Innovation & Knowledge Pub Date : 2026-07-23 DOI:10.1016/j.jik.2026.101115

Moonju Nam, Youngha Chang

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

This study examines how digital transformation translates into firm performance in manufacturing by addressing the digital transformation paradox through interdependent knowledge mechanisms. Drawing on the knowledge-based view and integrating perspectives on knowledge management and absorptive capacity, the study proposes and tests a sequential pathway in which digital transformation enables servitization, servitization fosters corporate entrepreneurship, and corporate entrepreneurship ultimately drives firm performance. Survey data from 130 South Korean manufacturing firms were analyzed using PLS-SEM, controlling for knowledge and technology intensity, research and development intensity, firm size, firm age, and geographic location. Results show that digital transformation significantly enhances servitization, servitization significantly promotes corporate entrepreneurship, and corporate entrepreneurship significantly improves firm performance. By contrast, the direct links between digital transformation and firm performance, and between servitization and firm performance, are not significant; only the sequential pathway linking digital transformation to firm performance through servitization and corporate entrepreneurship is supported. This study contributes to theory by clarifying the digital transformation paradox through a layered knowledge-based framework that frames digital transformation as a knowledge infrastructure, servitization as a knowledge interface rather than a direct performance driver, and corporate entrepreneurship as a knowledge-enactment mechanism linking digital transformation to firm performance. For managers, the results underscore the need to strategically orchestrate digital transformation, servitization, and corporate entrepreneurship as interlinked stages of a knowledge-based process to translate digital investments into sustained performance improvements in manufacturing.

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数字化转型与制造业企业绩效：服务化与企业企业家精神的作用

本研究通过相互依存的知识机制解决数字化转型悖论，探讨了数字化转型如何转化为制造业企业绩效。本研究以知识为基础，整合知识管理和吸收能力的观点，提出并检验了数字化转型促进服务化、服务化促进企业企业家精神、企业企业家精神最终推动企业绩效的顺序路径。对130家韩国制造企业的调查数据进行了PLS-SEM分析，控制了知识和技术强度、研发强度、企业规模、企业年龄和地理位置。结果表明：数字化转型显著提升服务化，服务化显著促进企业创业，企业创业显著提升企业绩效。相比之下，数字化转型与企业绩效、服务化与企业绩效之间的直接联系并不显著；仅支持通过服务化和企业创业将数字化转型与企业绩效联系起来的顺序路径。本研究通过基于知识的分层框架澄清了数字化转型悖论，该框架将数字化转型视为知识基础设施，将服务化视为知识接口而非直接绩效驱动因素，将企业企业家精神视为将数字化转型与企业绩效联系起来的知识制定机制。对于管理者来说，研究结果强调了将数字化转型、服务化和企业创业作为知识过程中相互关联的阶段进行战略协调的必要性，从而将数字化投资转化为制造业持续的绩效改进。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of Innovation & Knowledge Multiple-

CiteScore

16.10

自引率

12.70%

发文量

118

审稿时长

37 days

期刊介绍： The Journal of Innovation and Knowledge (JIK) explores how innovation drives knowledge creation and vice versa, emphasizing that not all innovation leads to knowledge, but enduring innovation across diverse fields fosters theory and knowledge. JIK invites papers on innovations enhancing or generating knowledge, covering innovation processes, structures, outcomes, and behaviors at various levels. Articles in JIK examine knowledge-related changes promoting innovation for societal best practices. JIK serves as a platform for high-quality studies undergoing double-blind peer review, ensuring global dissemination to scholars, practitioners, and policymakers who recognize innovation and knowledge as economic drivers. It publishes theoretical articles, empirical studies, case studies, reviews, and other content, addressing current trends and emerging topics in innovation and knowledge. The journal welcomes suggestions for special issues and encourages articles to showcase contextual differences and lessons for a broad audience. In essence, JIK is an interdisciplinary journal dedicated to advancing theoretical and practical innovations and knowledge across multiple fields, including Economics, Business and Management, Engineering, Science, and Education.