TITLE:
Research on the Co-Evolutionary Mechanism of Intelligent Manufacturing Transformation—A Single-Case and Configurational Analysis of Company A
AUTHORS:
Xiaotun Chen, Huijuan Yin
KEYWORDS:
Intelligent Manufacturing, Digital Transformation, Co‑Evolution, csQCA, New‑Quality Productive Forces, Supply‑Chain Resilience
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Business and Management,
Vol.14 No.6,
October
29,
2026
ABSTRACT: Against ongoing global supply‑chain readjustment and external technical constraints, Chinese discrete manufacturers face real dilemmas while rolling out smart‑manufacturing upgrades. Existing research tends to examine transformation drivers in isolation and seldom explains how strategy, technology, organisation and institutional factors interact non‑linearly within real‑firm contexts. Based on 12‑month embedded fieldwork at Company A, this paper builds the SLTO co‑evolution framework through a mixed‑method design of longitudinal single‑case study plus csQCA cross‑case comparison. Empirical results show that smart‑manufacturing upgrading stems from mutual interplay across four dimensions instead of one‑sided technical investment. Four distinct equifinal pathways leading to superior operational performance are confirmed. Most importantly, the institution‑collaboration substitution path suggests that firms with limited proprietary technology can make up technical gaps by leveraging government‑enterprise ties and supply‑chain partnerships. Drawing from on‑site practical evidence, this paper revisits dynamic‑capability logics for Chinese manufacturers and delivers actionable suggestions for firms developing new‑quality productive forces.