Influence of digital transformation on the servitization level of manufacturing SMEs from static and dynamic perspectives

Abstract

The servitization transformation is an important strategic planning and development trend for Chinese small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in manufacturing to break through the low-end locking of the global value chain and achieve high-quality transformation and upgrading. Digital transformation is a new expansion and the main focus of technology and service innovation in the process of enterprise servitization. To comprehensively evaluate the development status of Chinese manufacturing enterprises’ servitization level and explore the heterogeneity effect of digital transformation on enterprise servitization level, this study conducts the following research. By analyzing the influencing factors of manufacturing SMEs’ servitization level and the mechanism of digital transformation, this study combines the panel data of SMEs in manufacturing from 2015 to 2020 and evaluates their servitization levels from static and dynamic perspectives using super-efficiency data envelopment analysis (DEA) and Malmquist index methods. Furthermore, this study examines the influence of digital transformation on the servitization level of SMEs in manufacturing by using a digital input index and scenario comparison and analyzes the heterogeneous effects according to industry type. The results show that the servitization level of Chinese SMEs in manufacturing is not high, and its development is not balanced. Digital transformation plays a significant role in promoting the servitization of SMEs in manufacturing. The effect has obvious heterogeneity owing to differences in industry type. The research results can provide countermeasures and suggestions for the digitalization and servitization innovation development of SMEs in manufacturing, which can promote high-quality transformation and upgrading of Chinese SMEs in manufacturing and increase their position in the global value chain.