IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v17y2025i6p2734-d1615836.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Research on the Green and Low-Carbon Development Path of Digital Intelligence Empowering Enterprises in Manufacturing Industry

Author

Listed:
  • Xiaofei Wang

    (School of Management, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi’an 710055, China)

  • Shaowen Zhan

    (School of Public Administration, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi’an 710055, China)

  • Longlong Liu

    (School of Management, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi’an 710055, China
    School of Economics and Management, Shangluo University, Shangluo 726000, China)

  • Peng Zhang

    (School of Management, Xi’an University of Architecture and Technology, Xi’an 710055, China
    School of Economics and Management, Xi’an Aeronautical Institute, Xi’an 710077, China)

Abstract

The Fourth Industrial Revolution, driven by advancements in information technology, has ushered humanity into the age of intelligence. As digital technologies like artificial intelligence and large-scale models continue to evolve and gain traction, the convergence of digital innovation and green development within manufacturing enterprises has emerged as a pivotal trend. This integration not only fosters high-quality, sustainable growth, but also increasingly validates the impact of digital intelligence on advancing low-carbon performance. This study delves into how manufacturing enterprises can attain sustainable and low-carbon growth via digital transformation, employing the entropy TOPSIS evaluation model to assess the effectiveness of various empowerment strategies. Based on the findings, the paper offers actionable recommendations for enhancing sustainable practices in manufacturing during this digital shift. Beyond enriching the theoretical framework on the synergy between digital intelligence and sustainability in manufacturing, this research provides practical insights and guidance for enterprises leveraging next-generation digital technologies to drive their green and low-carbon initiatives more effectively.

Suggested Citation

  • Xiaofei Wang & Shaowen Zhan & Longlong Liu & Peng Zhang, 2025. "Research on the Green and Low-Carbon Development Path of Digital Intelligence Empowering Enterprises in Manufacturing Industry," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(6), pages 1-23, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:6:p:2734-:d:1615836
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/6/2734/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/17/6/2734/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Sara Saberi & Mahtab Kouhizadeh & Joseph Sarkis & Lejia Shen, 2019. "Blockchain technology and its relationships to sustainable supply chain management," International Journal of Production Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 57(7), pages 2117-2135, April.
    2. Freund, Caroline L. & Weinhold, Diana, 2004. "The effect of the Internet on international trade," Journal of International Economics, Elsevier, vol. 62(1), pages 171-189, January.
    3. Allen, Franklin & Qian, Jun & Qian, Meijun, 2005. "Law, finance, and economic growth in China," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 77(1), pages 57-116, July.
    4. Carrión-Flores, Carmen E. & Innes, Robert, 2010. "Environmental innovation and environmental performance," Journal of Environmental Economics and Management, Elsevier, vol. 59(1), pages 27-42, January.
    5. Lene Kromann & Nikolaj Malchow-Møller & Jan Rose Skaksen & Anders Sørensen, 2020. "Automation and productivity—a cross-country, cross-industry comparison," Industrial and Corporate Change, Oxford University Press and the Associazione ICC, vol. 29(2), pages 265-287.
    6. Rodolphe Durand & Robert M. Grant & Tammy L. Madsen & David P. McIntyre & Arati Srinivasan, 2017. "Networks, platforms, and strategy: Emerging views and next steps," Strategic Management Journal, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 38(1), pages 141-160, January.
    7. Zhang, Cheng & Fang, Jiming & Ge, Shilong & Sun, Guanglin, 2024. "Research on the impact of enterprise digital transformation on carbon emissions in the manufacturing industry," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 92(C), pages 211-227.
    8. Alan Muller & Ans Kolk, 2010. "Extrinsic and Intrinsic Drivers of Corporate Social Performance: Evidence from Foreign and Domestic Firms in Mexico," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 47(1), pages 1-26, January.
    9. Zhao, Shuang & Zhang, Liqun & Peng, Lin & Zhou, Haiyan & Hu, Feng, 2024. "Enterprise pollution reduction through digital transformation? Evidence from Chinese manufacturing enterprises," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 77(C).
    10. Justyna Patalas-Maliszewska & Małgorzata Szmołda & Hanna Łosyk, 2024. "Integrating Artificial Intelligence into the Supply Chain in Order to Enhance Sustainable Production—A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(16), pages 1-17, August.
    11. Qiushi Bo & Hui Liu & Junwei Zheng, 2024. "Research on the Mechanism of the Green Innovation of Enterprises Empowered by Digital Technology from the Perspective of Value Co-Creation," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(20), pages 1-20, October.
    12. Siemroth, Christoph & Hornuf, Lars, 2023. "Why Do Retail Investors Pick Green Investments? A Lab-in-the-Field Experiment with Crowdfunders," Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, Elsevier, vol. 209(C), pages 74-90.
    13. Jun Liu & Peng Zhang & Xiaofei Wang, 2025. "Exploring the Mechanisms and Pathways Through Which the Digital Transformation of Manufacturing Enterprises Enhances Green and Low-Carbon Performance Under the “Dual Carbon” Goals," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(3), pages 1-25, January.
    14. Pier Giacomo Cardinali & Pietro De Giovanni, 2022. "Responsible digitalization through digital technologies and green practices," Corporate Social Responsibility and Environmental Management, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 29(4), pages 984-995, July.
    15. Lei Wang & Shibo Liu & Wanfang Xiong, 2022. "The Impact of Digital Transformation on Corporate Environment Performance: Evidence from China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-19, October.
    16. Hafid Gallo & Amir Khadem & Ahmad Alzubi & Reza Lotfi, 2023. "The Relationship between Big Data Analytic-Artificial Intelligence and Environmental Performance: A Moderated Mediated Model of Green Supply Chain Collaboration (GSCC) and Top Management Commitment (T," Discrete Dynamics in Nature and Society, Hindawi, vol. 2023, pages 1-16, March.
    17. André Hanelt & René Bohnsack & David Marz & Cláudia Antunes Marante, 2021. "A Systematic Review of the Literature on Digital Transformation: Insights and Implications for Strategy and Organizational Change," Journal of Management Studies, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 58(5), pages 1159-1197, July.
    18. Choi, Changkyu & Hoon Yi, Myung, 2009. "The effect of the Internet on economic growth: Evidence from cross-country panel data," Economics Letters, Elsevier, vol. 105(1), pages 39-41, October.
    19. Larelle Chapple & Peter M. Clarkson & Daniel L. Gold, 2013. "The Cost of Carbon: Capital Market Effects of the Proposed Emission Trading Scheme ( ETS )," Abacus, Accounting Foundation, University of Sydney, vol. 49(1), pages 1-33, March.
    20. Lee, In & Shin, Yong Jae, 2018. "Fintech: Ecosystem, business models, investment decisions, and challenges," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 61(1), pages 35-46.
    21. Guinan, Patricia J. & Parise, Salvatore & Langowitz, Nan, 2019. "Creating an innovative digital project team: Levers to enable digital transformation," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 62(6), pages 717-727.
    22. Huafeng Xu & Kexin Xu & Yingjie Yang, 2021. "Risk assessment model of agricultural drought disaster based on grey matter-element analysis theory," Natural Hazards: Journal of the International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, Springer;International Society for the Prevention and Mitigation of Natural Hazards, vol. 107(3), pages 2693-2707, July.
    23. Saaty, Thomas L., 1994. "Highlights and critical points in the theory and application of the Analytic Hierarchy Process," European Journal of Operational Research, Elsevier, vol. 74(3), pages 426-447, May.
    24. Lange, Steffen & Pohl, Johanna & Santarius, Tilman, 2020. "Digitalization and energy consumption. Does ICT reduce energy demand?," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 176(C).
    25. Li, Yanxi & Yu, Conghui & Shi, Jinyan & Liu, Yuanyuan, 2023. "How does green bond issuance affect total factor productivity? Evidence from Chinese listed enterprises," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 123(C).
    26. Mark Lawrence Ashwell, 2017. "The digital transformation of intelligence analysis," Journal of Financial Crime, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 24(3), pages 393-411, July.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Najarzadeh, Reza & Rahimzadeh, Farzad & Reed, Michael, 2014. "Does the Internet increase labor productivity? Evidence from a cross-country dynamic panel," Journal of Policy Modeling, Elsevier, vol. 36(6), pages 986-993.
    2. Abdulqadir, Idris A. & Asongu, Simplice A., 2022. "The asymmetric effect of internet access on economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 73(C), pages 44-61.
    3. Zhengwei Li & Yadan Zheng & Xin Zhao, 2024. "The impacts of platform owner entry on prospective complementors’ intention to join: Discouraged by deterrent or attracted by good reputation," Electronic Markets, Springer;IIM University of St. Gallen, vol. 34(1), pages 1-16, December.
    4. Gnangnon, Sèna Kimm & Iyer, Harish, 2018. "Does bridging the Internet Access Divide contribute to enhancing countries' integration into the global trade in services markets?," Telecommunications Policy, Elsevier, vol. 42(1), pages 61-77.
    5. Manudeep Bhuller & Tarjei Havnes & Edwin Leuven & Magne Mogstad, 2013. "Broadband Internet: An Information Superhighway to Sex Crime?," The Review of Economic Studies, Review of Economic Studies Ltd, vol. 80(4), pages 1237-1266.
    6. Huang, Shuo, 2022. "Does FinTech improve the investment efficiency of enterprises? Evidence from China’s small and medium-sized enterprises," Economic Analysis and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 74(C), pages 571-586.
    7. Ge, Shilong & Luo, Xiaodan & Li, Yuangang & Zheng, Lanxing, 2024. "The impact of green credit policy on total factor productivity of enterprises," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 95(C).
    8. Broccardo, Laura & Zicari, Adrián & Jabeen, Fauzia & Bhatti, Zeeshan A., 2023. "How digitalization supports a sustainable business model: A literature review," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 187(C).
    9. Rudra P. Pradhan & Mak B. Arvin & Neville R. Norman & Sara E. Bennett, 2016. "Financial depth, internet penetration rates and economic growth: country-panel evidence," Applied Economics, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 48(4), pages 331-343, January.
    10. Xia, Yanchun & Qiao, Zhilin & Xie, Guanghua, 2022. "Corporate resilience to the COVID-19 pandemic: The role of digital finance," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 74(C).
    11. Juan Tan & Rui Liu & Jianle Lu & Qiong Tan, 2025. "Digital Economy, Entrepreneurship of Small and Medium-Sized Manufacturing Enterprises, and Regional Carbon Emissions: Evidence from Chinese Provinces," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-24, March.
    12. Muhammad Tariq Majeed & Amna Malik, 2016. "E-government, Economic Growth and Trade: A Simultaneous Equation Approach," The Pakistan Development Review, Pakistan Institute of Development Economics, vol. 55(4), pages 499-519.
    13. Abdulqadir, Idris & Asongu, Simplice, 2021. "The asymmetric effect of internet access on economic growth in sub-Saharan Africa: Insight from a dynamic panel threshold regression," MPRA Paper 109904, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    14. Visser, Robin, 2019. "The effect of the internet on the margins of trade," Information Economics and Policy, Elsevier, vol. 46(C), pages 41-54.
    15. Gnangnon, Sèna Kimm, 2022. "Internet, Participation in International Trade, and Tax Revenue Instability," Journal of Economic Integration, Center for Economic Integration, Sejong University, vol. 37(2), pages 267-315.
    16. Sun, Xinbo & Zhang, Qingqiang, 2021. "Building digital incentives for digital customer orientation in platform ecosystems," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 137(C), pages 555-566.
    17. Joel Cariolle & Maëlan Le Goff & Olivier Santoni, 2017. "Telecommunications submarine cable vulnerability and local performance of firms in developing and transition countries," Post-Print hal-01569846, HAL.
    18. Kimani, Danson & Adams, Kweku & Attah-Boakye, Rexford & Ullah, Subhan & Frecknall-Hughes, Jane & Kim, Ja, 2020. "Blockchain, business and the fourth industrial revolution: Whence, whither, wherefore and how?," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).
    19. Wang, Sai & Wen, Wen & Niu, Yuhao & Li, Xin, 2024. "Digital transformation and corporate labor investment efficiency," Emerging Markets Review, Elsevier, vol. 59(C).
    20. Joël Cariolle & Maelan Le Goff & Olicier Santoni, 2019. "Digital vulnerability and performance of firms in developing countries," Working papers 709, Banque de France.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:17:y:2025:i:6:p:2734-:d:1615836. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.