Publication Type

PhD Dissertation

Version

publishedVersion

Publication Date

3-2025

Abstract

Manufacturing is a cornerstone of national economic health and social stability, yet it faces challenges such as declining profits, rising labor costs, and an aging workforce. In China, the manufacturing sector is undergoing a critical transformation, driven by technological advancements like artificial intelligence (AI) and the push for intelligent manufacturing. This study explores how AI revitalizes the manufacturing sector by enhancing enterprise productivity and reshaping labor demand, with a focus on quality inspection processes. Using a leading bearing factory as a case study, the research employs econometric models, A/B testing, and interviews to quantify AI’s impact on production efficiency, costs, and labor market. The findings reveal that AI-driven manufacturing significantly improves enterprise productivity, improve accuracy and reducing costs, while also prompting structural shifts in the labor market, necessitating upskilling and retraining. The study highlights the dual role of AI in driving enterprise productivity and transforming labor demand, emphasizing the need for balanced strategies to maximize technological benefits and mitigate social challenges.

Keywords

Intelligent Manufacturing, Artificial Intelligence, Enterprise Productivity, Labor Demand, Technological Innovation, Industrial Transformation

Degree Awarded

SMU-SJTU Doctor of Business Administration

Discipline

Artificial Intelligence and Robotics | Entrepreneurial and Small Business Operations

Supervisor(s)

LIM, Yun Fong

First Page

1

Last Page

111

Publisher

Singapore Management University

City or Country

Singapore

Copyright Owner and License

Author

Download

Share

COinS