{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,6,29]],"date-time":"2026-06-29T08:14:45Z","timestamp":1782720885325,"version":"3.54.5"},"reference-count":111,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"5","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2025,5,18]],"date-time":"2025-05-18T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1747526400000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Systems"],"abstract":"<jats:p>The manufacturing industry serves as critical carrier for the empowerment of digital technologies and is the cornerstone of digital innovation and development. Smart transformation (ST), propelled by technological advancements, has become a prominent area of academic research, but its role in fostering the co-development of manufacturing industries has been overlooked. This study employs an empirical approach to examine the causal mechanisms linking ST with regional economic development (RED), particularly emphasizing the mediating effects exerted by regional innovation capacity (RIC). Leveraging panel data from 29 Chinese provinces spanning the period from 2009 to 2023, we constructed an econometric model for analysis. The findings reveal that ST has a direct effect on RED, knowledge innovation capacity (KIC), and innovation infrastructure (II) partially mediated, while technology innovation capacity (TIC) completely mediated the relationship. Theoretical contributions manifest in three dimensions: First, drawing on the sociotechnical system theory and technology diffusion theory, this paper establishes a multidimensional framework of ST, deepening the theoretical underpinnings of smart technology application in the manufacturing industry from three aspects: smart base input, smart applications, and smart market benefits. Second, it extends regional innovation theory and endogenous growth theory by conceptualizing RIC in three sub-capabilities (KIC, TIC, and II). Third, it contributes to the RED literature by exploring the coupling effect between manufacturing industry clusters and the development of RIC and ultimately concludes with targeted policy recommendations for optimizing ST strategies to foster RED in different manufacturing industries.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/systems13050389","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2025,5,19]],"date-time":"2025-05-19T06:31:29Z","timestamp":1747636289000},"page":"389","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":6,"title":["Linking Manufacturing Smart Transformation to Regional Economic Development in China: The Crucial Mediation of Regional Innovation Capacity"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"13","author":[{"given":"Yue","family":"Liu","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Glorious Sun School of Business and Management, Donghua University, Shanghai 200051, China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Lei","family":"Shen","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Glorious Sun School of Business and Management, Donghua University, Shanghai 200051, China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-4012-8087","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Fawad","family":"Ullah","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Glorious Sun School of Business and Management, Donghua University, Shanghai 200051, China"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,5,18]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"100227","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jik.2022.100227","article-title":"How Can the Combination of Entrepreneurship Policies Activate Regional Innovation Capability? A Comparative Study of Chinese Provinces Based on fsQCA","volume":"7","author":"Huang","year":"2022","journal-title":"J. Innov. Knowl."},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"120620","DOI":"10.1016\/j.techfore.2021.120620","article-title":"Torn between Digitized Future and Context Dependent Past\u2014How Implementing \u2018Industry 4.0\u2019 Production Technologies Could Transform the German Textile Industry","volume":"166","author":"Marschall","year":"2021","journal-title":"Technol. Forecast. Soc. Change"},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Fu, Y., Supriyadi, A., Wang, T., Wang, L., and Cirella, G.T. (2020). Effects of Regional Innovation Capability on the Green Technology Efficiency of China\u2019s Manufacturing Industry: Evidence from Listed Companies. Energies, 13.","DOI":"10.3390\/en13205467"},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1271","DOI":"10.1007\/s12597-021-00566-w","article-title":"Modeling of Critical Success Factors for Adoption of Smart Manufacturing System in Indian SMEs: An Integrated Approach","volume":"59","author":"Shukla","year":"2022","journal-title":"Opsearch"},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"102520","DOI":"10.1016\/j.techsoc.2024.102520","article-title":"Enterprise Pollution Reduction through Digital Transformation? Evidence from Chinese Manufacturing Enterprises","volume":"77","author":"Zhao","year":"2024","journal-title":"Technol. Soc."},{"key":"ref_6","first-page":"2050040","article-title":"Fostering Product Innovation Through Digital Transformation and Absorptive Capacity","volume":"17","year":"2020","journal-title":"Int. J. Innov. Technol. Manag."},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"107735","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ijpe.2020.107735","article-title":"Industry 4.0 Innovation Ecosystems: An Evolutionary Perspective on Value Cocreation","volume":"228","author":"Benitez","year":"2020","journal-title":"Int. J. Prod. Econ."},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"105112","DOI":"10.1016\/j.scs.2023.105112","article-title":"A Systematic Literature Review of the Smart City Transformation Process: The Role and Interaction of Stakeholders and Technology","volume":"101","author":"Dai","year":"2024","journal-title":"Sustain. Cities Soc."},{"key":"ref_9","unstructured":"Rogers, E.M., Singhal, A., and Quinlan, M.M. (2008). Diffusion of Innovations. An integrated Approach to Communication Theory and Research, Routledge."},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"109825","DOI":"10.1016\/j.cie.2023.109825","article-title":"Digital Technology and Manufacturing Industrial Change: Evidence from the Chinese Manufacturing Industry","volume":"187","author":"Xie","year":"2024","journal-title":"Comput. Ind. Eng."},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"100367","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jik.2023.100367","article-title":"Does Smart City Pilot Policy Reduce CO2 Emissions from Industrial Firms? Insights from China","volume":"8","author":"Xu","year":"2023","journal-title":"J. Innov. Knowl."},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"394","DOI":"10.1016\/j.techfore.2018.07.026","article-title":"The Relationship between Regional Compactness and Regional Innovation Capacity (RIC): Empirical Evidence from a National Study","volume":"142","author":"Hamidi","year":"2019","journal-title":"Technol. Forecast. Soc. Change"},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Zhao, X., Shen, L., and Jiang, Z. (2024). The Impact of the Digital Economy on Creative Industries Development: Empirical Evidence Based on the China. PLoS ONE, 19.","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0299232"},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"142391","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jclepro.2024.142391","article-title":"Research on the Impact of Geographic Distance on Corporate Technology for Social Good: From the Perspective of Institutional Environment and Regional Innovation Capability","volume":"457","author":"Ruan","year":"2024","journal-title":"J. Clean. Prod."},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"101643","DOI":"10.1016\/j.resourpol.2020.101643","article-title":"Natural Resources, Urbanization and Regional Innovation Capabilities","volume":"66","author":"Chen","year":"2020","journal-title":"Resour. Policy"},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"749","DOI":"10.1080\/13662716.2021.1904841","article-title":"Disentangling Regional Innovation Capability: What Really Matters?","volume":"28","author":"Ganau","year":"2021","journal-title":"Ind. Innov."},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"693","DOI":"10.1108\/JKM-03-2020-0178","article-title":"Knowledge Complexity and Firm Performance: Evidence from the European SMEs","volume":"25","author":"Audretsch","year":"2021","journal-title":"J. Knowl. Manag."},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"104818","DOI":"10.1016\/j.respol.2023.104818","article-title":"Organizing for Transformative Innovation Policies: The Role of Social Enterprises. Theoretical Insights and Evidence from Italy","volume":"52","author":"Calderini","year":"2023","journal-title":"Res. Policy"},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"899","DOI":"10.1016\/S0048-7333(01)00152-4","article-title":"The Determinants of National Innovative Capacity","volume":"31","author":"Furman","year":"2002","journal-title":"Res. Policy"},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"81","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jik.2019.08.001","article-title":"External Knowledge Modes and Firm-Level Innovation Performance: Empirical Evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa","volume":"5","author":"Medase","year":"2020","journal-title":"J. Innov. Knowl."},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"121713","DOI":"10.1016\/j.techfore.2022.121713","article-title":"Regional Innovation Ability and Its Inequality: Measurements and Dynamic Decomposition","volume":"180","author":"Xu","year":"2022","journal-title":"Technol. Forecast. Soc. Change"},{"key":"ref_22","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"101398","DOI":"10.1016\/j.eti.2021.101398","article-title":"Agglomeration and Driving Factors of Regional Innovation Space Based on Intelligent Manufacturing and Green Economy","volume":"22","author":"Ying","year":"2021","journal-title":"Environ. Technol. Innov."},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"100542","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jik.2024.100542","article-title":"Digital Infrastructure and Innovation: Digital Divide or Digital Dividend?","volume":"9","author":"Du","year":"2024","journal-title":"J. Innov. Knowl."},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2557","DOI":"10.1002\/csr.2704","article-title":"Digital Technology Backgrounds and Enterprise Digital Transformation: The Mediating Effect of R&D Investment and Corporate Social Responsibility","volume":"31","author":"Zhu","year":"2023","journal-title":"Corp. Soc. Responsib. Environ. Manag."},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"120784","DOI":"10.1016\/j.techfore.2021.120784","article-title":"The Four Smarts of Industry 4.0: Evolution of Ten Years of Research and Future Perspectives","volume":"168","author":"Meindl","year":"2021","journal-title":"Technol. Forecast. Soc. Change"},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Sofic, A., Rakic, S., Pezzotta, G., Markoski, B., Arioli, V., and Marjanovic, U. (2022). Smart and Resilient Transformation of Manufacturing Firms. Processes, 10.","DOI":"10.3390\/pr10122674"},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"106774","DOI":"10.1016\/j.cie.2020.106774","article-title":"Smart Production Planning and Control in the Industry 4.0 Context: A Systematic Literature Review","volume":"149","author":"Bueno","year":"2020","journal-title":"Comput. Ind. Eng."},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1605","DOI":"10.1080\/00207543.2019.1671625","article-title":"Scopus Scientific Mapping Production in Industry 4.0 (2011\u20132018): A Bibliometric Analysis","volume":"58","author":"Kipper","year":"2020","journal-title":"Int. J. Prod. Res."},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"15","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ijpe.2019.01.004","article-title":"Industry 4.0 Technologies: Implementation Patterns in Manufacturing Companies","volume":"210","author":"Frank","year":"2019","journal-title":"Int. J. Prod. Econ."},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"103908","DOI":"10.1016\/j.compind.2023.103908","article-title":"From Technology Enablers to Circular Economy: Data-Driven Understanding of the Overview of Servitization and Product\u2013Service Systems in Industry 4.0","volume":"148","author":"Kim","year":"2023","journal-title":"Comput. Ind."},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"108158","DOI":"10.1016\/j.cie.2022.108158","article-title":"Workforce and Supply Chain Disruption as a Digital and Technological Innovation Opportunity for Resilient Manufacturing Systems in the COVID-19 Pandemic","volume":"169","author":"Ambrogio","year":"2022","journal-title":"Comput. Ind. Eng."},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"127555","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jclepro.2021.127555","article-title":"Smart Retrofitting in Manufacturing: A Systematic Review","volume":"312","author":"Jaspert","year":"2021","journal-title":"J. Clean. Prod."},{"key":"ref_33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"341","DOI":"10.1016\/j.techfore.2019.01.014","article-title":"Servitization and Industry 4.0 Convergence in the Digital Transformation of Product Firms: A Business Model Innovation Perspective","volume":"141","author":"Frank","year":"2019","journal-title":"Technol. Forecast. Soc. Change"},{"key":"ref_34","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"102222","DOI":"10.1016\/j.technovation.2021.102222","article-title":"Platform-Based Servitization and Business Model Adaptation by Established Manufacturers","volume":"118","author":"Tian","year":"2022","journal-title":"Technovation"},{"key":"ref_35","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"49653","DOI":"10.1109\/ACCESS.2024.3384252","article-title":"An IoT-Enabled Real-Time Dynamic Scheduler for Flexible Job Shop Scheduling (FJSS) in an Industry 4.0-Based Manufacturing Execution System (MES 4.0)","volume":"12","author":"Tariq","year":"2024","journal-title":"IEEE Access"},{"key":"ref_36","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"158","DOI":"10.1016\/j.indmarman.2023.04.005","article-title":"Capabilities for Data-Driven Innovation in B2B Industrial Companies","volume":"111","author":"Eriksson","year":"2023","journal-title":"Ind. Mark. Manag."},{"key":"ref_37","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"102121","DOI":"10.1016\/j.technovation.2020.102121","article-title":"Managing the Digital Supply Chain: The Role of Smart Technologies","volume":"96\u201397","author":"Nasiri","year":"2020","journal-title":"Technovation"},{"key":"ref_38","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"107174","DOI":"10.1016\/j.cie.2021.107174","article-title":"The Evolution of the Internet of Things (IoT) over the Past 20 Years","volume":"155","author":"Wang","year":"2021","journal-title":"Comput. Ind. Eng."},{"key":"ref_39","first-page":"101994","article-title":"Artificial Intelligence (AI): Multidisciplinary Perspectives on Emerging Challenges, Opportunities, and Agenda for Research, Practice and Policy","volume":"57","author":"Dwivedi","year":"2021","journal-title":"Int. J. Inf. Manag."},{"key":"ref_40","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"91","DOI":"10.1007\/s12599-021-00732-w","article-title":"AI Startup Business Models Key Characteristics and Directions for Entrepreneurship Research","volume":"64","author":"Weber","year":"2022","journal-title":"Bus. Inf. Syst. Eng."},{"key":"ref_41","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"108261","DOI":"10.1016\/j.cie.2022.108261","article-title":"Human-Technology Integration in Smart Manufacturing and Logistics: Current Trends and Future Research Directions","volume":"169","author":"Cimini","year":"2022","journal-title":"Comput. Ind. Eng."},{"key":"ref_42","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"113643","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jbusres.2023.113643","article-title":"Measurement of Factor Mismatch in Industrial Enterprises with Labor Skills Heterogeneity","volume":"158","author":"Zhang","year":"2023","journal-title":"J. Bus. Res."},{"key":"ref_43","first-page":"100257","article-title":"Industry 5.0: A Survey on Enabling Technologies and Potential Applications","volume":"26","author":"Maddikunta","year":"2022","journal-title":"J. Ind. Inf. Integr."},{"key":"ref_44","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"471","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jmsy.2022.05.005","article-title":"Toward Human-Centric Smart Manufacturing: A Human-Cyber-Physical Systems (HCPS) Perspective","volume":"63","author":"Wang","year":"2022","journal-title":"J. Manuf. Syst."},{"key":"ref_45","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"4855","DOI":"10.1007\/s00170-024-14788-x","article-title":"Computer Big Data Technology in Additive Manufacturing and Product Design in Sustainable Manufacturing","volume":"135","author":"Ding","year":"2024","journal-title":"Int. J. Adv. Manuf. Technol."},{"key":"ref_46","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"6120","DOI":"10.1080\/00207543.2024.2309309","article-title":"Generative Artificial Intelligence in Supply Chain and Operations Management: A Capability-Based Framework for Analysis and Implementation","volume":"62","author":"Jackson","year":"2024","journal-title":"Int. J. Prod. Res."},{"key":"ref_47","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"306","DOI":"10.1016\/j.indmarman.2020.02.004","article-title":"Transforming Provider-Customer Relationships in Digital Servitization: A Relational View on Digitalization","volume":"89","author":"Kamalaldin","year":"2020","journal-title":"Ind. Mark. Manag."},{"key":"ref_48","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1462","DOI":"10.1080\/00207543.2019.1652777","article-title":"Sustainable Manufacturing in Industry 4.0: An Emerging Research Agenda","volume":"58","author":"Machado","year":"2020","journal-title":"Int. J. Prod. Res."},{"key":"ref_49","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"109075","DOI":"10.1016\/j.cie.2023.109075","article-title":"Application of MADM Methods in Industry 4.0: A Literature Review","volume":"177","author":"Zayat","year":"2023","journal-title":"Comput. Ind. Eng."},{"key":"ref_50","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"157","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jmsy.2018.01.006","article-title":"Data-Driven Smart Manufacturing","volume":"48","author":"Tao","year":"2018","journal-title":"J. Manuf. Syst."},{"key":"ref_51","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"210","DOI":"10.1016\/j.techfore.2018.10.028","article-title":"Business Model Innovation for Urban Smartization","volume":"142","author":"Schiavone","year":"2019","journal-title":"Technol. Forecast. Soc. Change"},{"key":"ref_52","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"886","DOI":"10.1108\/IJEBR-07-2021-0566","article-title":"Predictions through Lean Startup? Harnessing AI-Based Predictions under Uncertainty","volume":"29","author":"Raneri","year":"2023","journal-title":"Int. J. Entrep. Behav. Res."},{"key":"ref_53","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"119869","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jclepro.2019.119869","article-title":"Industry 4.0, Digitization, and Opportunities for Sustainability","volume":"252","author":"Ghobakhloo","year":"2020","journal-title":"J. Clean. Prod."},{"key":"ref_54","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Ko, M., Lee, C., and Cho, Y. (2022). Design and Implementation of Cloud-Based Collaborative Manufacturing Execution System in the Korean Fashion Industry. Appl. Sci., 12.","DOI":"10.3390\/app12189381"},{"key":"ref_55","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1203","DOI":"10.1016\/j.respol.2005.01.018","article-title":"One Size Fits All?: Towards a Differentiated Regional Innovation Policy Approach","volume":"34","author":"Trippl","year":"2005","journal-title":"Res. Policy"},{"key":"ref_56","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"509","DOI":"10.1002\/(SICI)1097-0266(199708)18:7<509::AID-SMJ882>3.0.CO;2-Z","article-title":"Dynamic Capabilities and Strategic Management","volume":"18","author":"Teece","year":"1997","journal-title":"Strateg. Manag. J."},{"key":"ref_57","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"121","DOI":"10.1093\/cjres\/rsp034","article-title":"A Typology of \u201cInnovation Districts\u201d: What It Means for Regional Resilience","volume":"3","author":"Clark","year":"2010","journal-title":"Camb. J. Reg. Econ. Soc."},{"key":"ref_58","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"29","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jik.2018.07.001","article-title":"Information Technology for Supporting the Development and Maintenance of Open Innovation Capabilities","volume":"5","author":"Adamides","year":"2020","journal-title":"J. Innov. Knowl."},{"key":"ref_59","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"107526","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ijpe.2019.107526","article-title":"Innovative Efforts of ISO 9001-Certified Manufacturing Firms: Evidence of Links between Determinants of Innovation, Continuous Innovation and Firm Performance","volume":"223","author":"Latan","year":"2020","journal-title":"Int. J. Prod. Econ."},{"key":"ref_60","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"213","DOI":"10.1016\/S0048-7333(01)00137-8","article-title":"National Systems of Production, Innovation and Competence Building","volume":"31","author":"Lundvall","year":"2002","journal-title":"Res. Policy"},{"key":"ref_61","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"102725","DOI":"10.1016\/j.habitatint.2022.102725","article-title":"Life Cycle Identification of China\u2019s Regional Innovation Systems Based on Entropy Weight Disturbing Attribute Model","volume":"131","author":"Pan","year":"2023","journal-title":"Habitat Int."},{"key":"ref_62","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"103","DOI":"10.1007\/s11187-015-9643-3","article-title":"Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Regional Growth: A Network Theory","volume":"45","author":"Huggins","year":"2015","journal-title":"Small Bus. Econ."},{"key":"ref_63","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"13","DOI":"10.1016\/j.techfore.2016.03.025","article-title":"The More Interactions the Better? The Moderating Effect of the Interaction between Local Producers and Users of Knowledge on the Relationship between R&D Investment and Regional Innovation Systems","volume":"110","author":"Jiao","year":"2016","journal-title":"Technol. Forecast. Soc. Change"},{"key":"ref_64","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"121","DOI":"10.1108\/13673270810902984","article-title":"Knowledge-based Capital in Building Regional Innovation Capacity","volume":"12","author":"Schiuma","year":"2008","journal-title":"J. Knowl. Manag."},{"key":"ref_65","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"103441","DOI":"10.1016\/j.compind.2021.103441","article-title":"Regional Innovation Capability from a Technology-Oriented Perspective: An Analysis at Industry Level","volume":"129","author":"Park","year":"2021","journal-title":"Comput. Ind."},{"key":"ref_66","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"27","DOI":"10.1016\/j.rser.2018.03.005","article-title":"Application of Threshold Regression Analysis to Study the Impact of Regional Technological Innovation Level on Sustainable Development","volume":"89","author":"Yi","year":"2018","journal-title":"Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev."},{"key":"ref_67","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1","DOI":"10.1016\/j.strueco.2024.01.007","article-title":"How Does the Development of the Digital Economy Affect Innovation Output? Exploring Mechanisms from the Perspective of Regional Innovation Systems","volume":"70","author":"Zhou","year":"2024","journal-title":"Struct. Change Econ. Dyn."},{"key":"ref_68","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1251","DOI":"10.1108\/JEIM-02-2021-0113","article-title":"Industry 4.0: Technology Spillover Impact on Digital Manufacturing Industry","volume":"35","author":"Miao","year":"2022","journal-title":"J. Enterp. Inf. Manag."},{"key":"ref_69","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"122680","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jclepro.2020.122680","article-title":"Driving Force for China\u2019s Economic Development under Industry 4.0 and Circular Economy: Technological Innovation or Structural Change?","volume":"271","author":"Zhou","year":"2020","journal-title":"J. Clean. Prod."},{"key":"ref_70","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"102393","DOI":"10.1016\/j.technovation.2021.102393","article-title":"Investigating the Relationship of High-Tech Entrepreneurship and Innovation Efficacy: The Moderating Role of Absorptive Capacity","volume":"111","author":"Chung","year":"2022","journal-title":"Technovation"},{"key":"ref_71","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"107617","DOI":"10.1016\/j.ijpe.2020.107617","article-title":"Behind the Definition of Industry 4.0: Analysis and Open Questions","volume":"226","author":"Culot","year":"2020","journal-title":"Int. J. Prod. Econ."},{"key":"ref_72","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Lu, H., Du, D., and Qin, X. (2022). Assessing the Dual Innovation Capability of National Innovation System: Empirical Evidence from 65 Countries. Systems, 10.","DOI":"10.3390\/systems10020023"},{"key":"ref_73","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"140","DOI":"10.1016\/j.techfore.2015.07.010","article-title":"The Evolving Nature of China\u2019s Regional Innovation Systems: Insights from an Exploration\u2013Exploitation Approach","volume":"100","author":"Wang","year":"2015","journal-title":"Technol. Forecast. Soc. Change"},{"key":"ref_74","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"103773","DOI":"10.1016\/j.respol.2019.03.018","article-title":"The Digital Transformation of Innovation and Entrepreneurship: Progress, Challenges and Key Themes","volume":"48","author":"Nambisan","year":"2019","journal-title":"Res. Policy"},{"key":"ref_75","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"141589","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jclepro.2024.141589","article-title":"The Impact of Digital Infrastructure on Industrial Ecology: Evidence from Broadband China Strategy","volume":"447","author":"Zhou","year":"2024","journal-title":"J. Clean. Prod."},{"key":"ref_76","unstructured":"Solovev, D.B. (2019). The Impact of Innovation Infrastructure on the Economic Development of Regions. Smart Technologies and Innovations in Design for Control of Technological Processes and Objects: Economy and Production, Springer International Publishing."},{"key":"ref_77","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"102398","DOI":"10.1016\/j.technovation.2021.102398","article-title":"How Companies Configure Digital Innovation Attributes for Business Model Innovation? A Configurational View","volume":"112","author":"Cheng","year":"2022","journal-title":"Technovation"},{"key":"ref_78","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"108713","DOI":"10.1016\/j.cie.2022.108713","article-title":"A Literature Review of Energy Waste in the Manufacturing Industry","volume":"173","author":"Geng","year":"2022","journal-title":"Comput. Ind. Eng."},{"key":"ref_79","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Lee, B., Kim, B., and Ivan, U.V. (2024). Enhancing the Competitiveness of AI Technology-Based Startups in the Digital Era. Adm. Sci., 14.","DOI":"10.3390\/admsci14010006"},{"key":"ref_80","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"102252","DOI":"10.1016\/j.scs.2020.102252","article-title":"A Deep Learning-Based IoT-Oriented Infrastructure for Secure Smart City","volume":"60","author":"Singh","year":"2020","journal-title":"Sustain. Cities Soc."},{"key":"ref_81","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e32654","DOI":"10.1016\/j.heliyon.2024.e32654","article-title":"Smart Cities Software Applications for Sustainability and Resilience","volume":"10","author":"Okonta","year":"2024","journal-title":"Heliyon"},{"key":"ref_82","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"105","DOI":"10.1108\/JKM-09-2022-0757","article-title":"How an Industrial Internet Platform Empowers the Digital Transformation of SMEs: Theoretical Mechanism and Business Model","volume":"27","author":"Li","year":"2022","journal-title":"J. Knowl. Manag."},{"key":"ref_83","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"102810","DOI":"10.1016\/j.irfa.2023.102810","article-title":"Can Digital Innovation Improve Firm Performance: Evidence from Digital Patents of Chinese Listed Firms","volume":"89","author":"Huang","year":"2023","journal-title":"Int. Rev. Financ. Anal."},{"key":"ref_84","first-page":"301","article-title":"A Vision of 6G\u20135G\u2019s Successor","volume":"7","author":"Lu","year":"2020","journal-title":"J. Manag. Anal."},{"key":"ref_85","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"202","DOI":"10.1016\/j.techfore.2014.09.014","article-title":"Regional Collaborations and Indigenous Innovation Capabilities in China: A Multivariate Method for the Analysis of Regional Innovation Systems","volume":"94","author":"Zhao","year":"2015","journal-title":"Technol. Forecast. Soc. Change"},{"key":"ref_86","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Yang, C., and Liu, Q. (2024). Driving Green Innovation Through Digital Transformation: Empirical Insights on Regional Variations. Sustainability, 16.","DOI":"10.3390\/su162310716"},{"key":"ref_87","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"120671","DOI":"10.1016\/j.techfore.2021.120671","article-title":"Technological Innovation and Structural Change for Economic Development in China as an Emerging Market","volume":"167","author":"Zhou","year":"2021","journal-title":"Technol. Forecast. Soc. Change"},{"key":"ref_88","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1727","DOI":"10.1080\/09640568.2021.1945552","article-title":"Ecological Efficiency Assessment under the Construction of Low-Carbon City: A Perspective of Green Technology Innovation","volume":"65","author":"Du","year":"2022","journal-title":"J. Environ. Plan. Manag."},{"key":"ref_89","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"9795","DOI":"10.1007\/s11356-023-31757-1","article-title":"The Impact of Digital Infrastructure on Provincial Green Innovation Efficiency\u2014Empirical Evidence from China","volume":"31","author":"Hu","year":"2024","journal-title":"Environ. Sci. Pollut. Res."},{"key":"ref_90","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Shen, L., Sun, C., and Ali, M. (2021). Role of Servitization, Digitalization, and Innovation Performance in Manufacturing Enterprises. Sustainability, 13.","DOI":"10.3390\/su13179878"},{"key":"ref_91","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"141","DOI":"10.1016\/j.worlddev.2017.07.007","article-title":"Drivers of Structural Transformation: The Case of the Manufacturing Sector in Africa","volume":"99","author":"Mijiyawa","year":"2017","journal-title":"World Dev."},{"key":"ref_92","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"213","DOI":"10.1108\/JMTM-05-2018-0126","article-title":"Influencing Mechanism and Achievement of Manufacturing Transformation and Upgrading Empirical Analysis Based on PLS-SEM Model","volume":"30","author":"Lin","year":"2019","journal-title":"J. Manuf. Technol. Manag."},{"key":"ref_93","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"818","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jclepro.2018.11.149","article-title":"Green Economic Development in Lao PDR: A Sustainability Window Analysis of Green Growth Productivity and the Efficiency Gap","volume":"211","author":"Luukkanen","year":"2019","journal-title":"J. Clean. Prod."},{"key":"ref_94","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"11","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jik.2019.12.001","article-title":"Indicators Used to Measure Service Innovation and Manufacturing Innovation","volume":"6","author":"Taques","year":"2021","journal-title":"J. Innov. Knowl."},{"key":"ref_95","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"109","DOI":"10.1016\/S0048-7333(99)00055-4","article-title":"The Dynamics of Innovation: From National Systems and \u201cMode 2\u201d to a Triple Helix of University\u2013Industry\u2013Government Relations","volume":"29","author":"Etzkowitz","year":"2000","journal-title":"Res. Policy"},{"key":"ref_96","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"122144","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jenvman.2024.122144","article-title":"Global Insights on the Impact of Digital Infrastructure on Carbon Emissions: A Multidimensional Analysis","volume":"368","author":"Che","year":"2024","journal-title":"J. Environ. Manag."},{"key":"ref_97","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"7364","DOI":"10.1007\/s12144-021-02034-6","article-title":"Equivalence of Two Least-Squares Estimators for Indirect Effects","volume":"42","author":"Wang","year":"2023","journal-title":"Curr. Psychol."},{"key":"ref_98","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"3772","DOI":"10.3758\/s13428-022-01988-0","article-title":"Questions of Value, Questions of Magnitude: An Exploration and Application of Methods for Comparing Indirect Effects in Multiple Mediator Models","volume":"55","author":"Coutts","year":"2023","journal-title":"Behav. Res."},{"key":"ref_99","first-page":"1251","article-title":"Specification Tests in Econometrics","volume":"46","author":"Hausman","year":"1978","journal-title":"J. Econom. Soc."},{"key":"ref_100","unstructured":"Montgomer, D.C., Peck, E.A., and Vining, G.G. (2021). Introduction to Linear Regression Analysis, John Wiley & Sons."},{"key":"ref_101","unstructured":"Wooldridge, J.M. (2016). Introductory Econometrics: A Modern Approach, Cengage Learning. [6th ed., student edition]."},{"key":"ref_102","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Bao, J., and Li, Y. (2023). Has High-Tech Cluster Improved Regional Innovation Capacity? Evidence from Wuhan Metropolitan Area in China. Front. Environ. Sci., 11.","DOI":"10.3389\/fenvs.2023.1180781"},{"key":"ref_103","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"801","DOI":"10.1016\/j.jbusres.2022.03.041","article-title":"Innovation in Emerging Economies: Research on the Digital Economy Driving High-Quality Green Development","volume":"145","author":"Ma","year":"2022","journal-title":"J. Bus. Res."},{"key":"ref_104","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Cui, Y., Tian, H., An, D., and Jia, Y. (2024). Quality of Life and Regional Economic Development: Evidence from China. PLoS ONE, 19.","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0298389"},{"key":"ref_105","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"102326","DOI":"10.1016\/j.pacfin.2024.102326","article-title":"Stock Markets, Local Governments Leverage, and Regional Economic Development: Evidence from China","volume":"85","author":"Bian","year":"2024","journal-title":"Pac.-Basin Financ. J."},{"key":"ref_106","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"102021","DOI":"10.1016\/j.chieco.2023.102021","article-title":"Measuring Digitalization Effects in China: A Global Value Chain Perspective","volume":"81","author":"Guo","year":"2023","journal-title":"China Econ. Rev."},{"key":"ref_107","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"107135","DOI":"10.1016\/j.eneco.2023.107135","article-title":"Effect of Digital Transformation on Enterprises\u2019 Green Innovation: Empirical Evidence from Listed Companies in China","volume":"128","author":"Tang","year":"2023","journal-title":"Energy Econ."},{"key":"ref_108","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"691","DOI":"10.1016\/j.eng.2019.07.016","article-title":"Upgrading Pathways of Intelligent Manufacturing in China: Transitioning across Technological Paradigms","volume":"5","author":"Zhou","year":"2019","journal-title":"Engineering"},{"key":"ref_109","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1026","DOI":"10.1108\/IMDS-08-2020-0459","article-title":"How to Leverage Manufacturing Digitalization for Green Process Innovation: An Information Processing Perspective","volume":"121","author":"Wei","year":"2021","journal-title":"Ind. Manag. Data Syst."},{"key":"ref_110","first-page":"639","article-title":"Predicting E-Readiness at Firm-Level: An Analysis of Technological, Organizational and Environmental (TOE) Effects on e-Maintenance Readiness in Manufacturing Firms","volume":"34","author":"Aboelmaged","year":"2014","journal-title":"Int. J. Inf. Manag."},{"key":"ref_111","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Wu, S.R., Shirkey, G., Celik, I., Shao, C., and Chen, J. (2022). A Review on the Adoption of AI, BC, and IoT in Sustainability Research. Sustainability, 14.","DOI":"10.3390\/su14137851"}],"container-title":["Systems"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2079-8954\/13\/5\/389\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2025,10,9]],"date-time":"2025-10-09T17:34:39Z","timestamp":1760031279000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2079-8954\/13\/5\/389"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2025,5,18]]},"references-count":111,"journal-issue":{"issue":"5","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2025,5]]}},"alternative-id":["systems13050389"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/systems13050389","relation":{},"ISSN":["2079-8954"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2079-8954","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2025,5,18]]}}}