Publication Type

PhD Dissertation

Version

publishedVersion

Publication Date

8-2025

Abstract

The study aims to explore the impact of digital transformation on product quality in discrete manufacturing enterprises. As the global economy and technology rapidly advance, the manufacturing industry faces unprecedented challenges and opportunities. Digital transformation has emerged as a key strategy for tackling these challenges and has become a significant trend in the manufacturing industry. The discrete manufacturing industry, which demands high product quality, faces even greater challenges in digital transformation. However, if discrete manufacturing enterprises successfully navigate this transformation, they can significantly improve quality, gain a competitive edge, and unlock even greater opportunities for their business.

The study combines quantitative and qualitative research. First, the study explores the relationship between manufacturing process digitalization and product quality performance in discrete enterprises through quantitative modeling and analysis of primary data. Product quality performance is determined by product design quality and product manufacturing process quality. Once the product design is finalized, the manufacturing process shapes the product quality. While there is plenty of literature on the relationship between enterprise digitalization and performance, research specifically examining the link between manufacturing process digitalization and enterprise performance is still lacking. The study utilizes specific quality indicators, such as product qualification ratio, to represent product quality performance. It explores whether a correlation exists between the digital level of product manufacturing processes and product quality. Furthermore, it examines whether this relationship is influenced by external variables. Through quantitative modeling analysis of the archival data from the manufacturing process during the digital transformation at Zhejiang Sunny Smartlead Technologies Co., Ltd. (Sunny Smartlead), the study confirms the hypothesis that there is a positive correlation between the manufacturing process digitalization level and product quality performance. Additionally, it highlights that the complexity of the product moderates this relationship.

Second, Study 2 will use a qualitative case study approach to further explore and explain the mechanisms by which manufacturing process digitalization enhances product quality performance, building on the quantitative analysis results from Study 1. The study highlights that the mechanisms by which manufacturing process digitalization affects product quality performance stem from the digitalization of Six Sigma management modules within that process, as demonstrated through representative case studies. Modularization can enhance system performance. With the digitalization of Six Sigma modules, the efficiency of interactions between these modules is further improved, and each module undergoes continuous optimization. This boost in Six Sigma management capabilities ultimately leads to enhanced product quality performance.

Keywords

digital transformation, discrete manufacturing, product quality, Six Sigma DMAIC process, modularization

Degree Awarded

Doctor of Business Administration (Accounting and Finance)

Discipline

Accounting | Sales and Merchandising

Supervisor(s)

WANG, Jiwei

First Page

1

Last Page

210

Publisher

Singapore Management University

City or Country

Singapore

Copyright Owner and License

Author

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