Strengthen or weaken? How industrial internet platform affects the core competitiveness of manufacturing companies

To boost high-quality economic development and carbon neutrality, Industrial Internet Platforms are a critical channel for enhancing manufacturing companies’ core competitiveness. A primary focus of this study is to examine empirically how the Industrial Internet Platform impacts manufacturing companies’ core competitiveness. Study findings based on A-share listed manufacturing companies indicate that the Industrial Internet Platform with its systematic characteristic, interactivity, and personalization is capable of significantly enhancing core competitiveness. Systematic characteristics have the most significant effect. Testing for endogeneity and robustness confirms the above findings. Moreover, this study overviews the mechanisms of Industrial Internet Platforms from the value chain, i.e., supply chain management, green manufacturing, and green procurement. By reducing supply chain concentration, systematization, and personalization improve manufacturing companies’ core competitiveness. Systematization and interactivity can enhance manufacturing companies’ core competitiveness by promoting green innovation. Further analysis shows that supply chain concentration does not mediate in the high-tech industry. This study provides innovative ideas for manufacturing companies on how to use Industrial Internet platforms to improve competitiveness. It also proposes creative ways to achieve carbon neutrality.