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The Role of Digital Transformation, Corporate Culture, and Leadership in Enhancing Corporate Sustainable Performance in the Manufacturing Sector of China

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  • Muhammad Asif

    (School of Media, Hunan University of Science and Engineering, Yongzhou 425199, China)

  • Liu Yang

    (School of Journalism and Communication, Hengyang Normal University, Hengyang 421010, China)

  • Muhammad Hashim

    (Faisalabad Business School, National Textile University, Faisalabad 37610, Pakistan)

Abstract

The Chinese manufacturing industry faces many challenges to sustainable development. This study examines how transformational leadership, corporate culture, and digital transformation affect Chinese manufacturing organizations’ sustainability. It will also examine the moderating role of environmental dynamism and the mediating effect of innovation capabilities. A self-administered survey was distributed to 350 manufacturing companies’ owners, managers, leaders, and employees, etc. Participants were selected via convenient sampling. This data collection effort validated findings and empirically tested theories. Smart PLS structural equation modelling (PLS-SEM), quantitative research, and cross-research are used in this study. The findings suggest that corporate culture, transformational leadership, and digital transformation significantly affect organizations’ sustainability. Innovation capability does not affect the relationship between corporate culture and sustainability. However, it mediates the relationship between transformational leadership, digital transformation, and business sustainability. Innovation capabilities and business sustainability performance are moderated by environmental dynamism. This study contributes to sustainable corporate performance theory by showing managers how transformational leadership, digital transformation, and corporate culture can help manufacturing companies grow indefinitely. The findings have major implications for China, a highly industrialized nation. This study could benefit regulatory authorities, academic institutions, industry, government agencies, and researchers.

Suggested Citation

  • Muhammad Asif & Liu Yang & Muhammad Hashim, 2024. "The Role of Digital Transformation, Corporate Culture, and Leadership in Enhancing Corporate Sustainable Performance in the Manufacturing Sector of China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-31, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:7:p:2651-:d:1362691
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    5. Lu, Jing & Wang, Jun, 2021. "Corporate governance, law, culture, environmental performance and CSR disclosure: A global perspective," Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions and Money, Elsevier, vol. 70(C).
    6. Wei Zhang & Hao Zhou & Jie Chen & Zifu Fan, 2022. "An Empirical Analysis of the Impact of Digital Economy on Manufacturing Green and Low-Carbon Transformation under the Dual-Carbon Background in China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(20), pages 1-22, October.
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    Cited by:

    1. Yutong Sun & Meili Zhang & Chenggang Wang & Mingmin Li, 2025. "How the Digital Transformation of Chinese Traditional Manufacturing Enterprises Drives Green Innovation: A Moderated Mediation Model," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(4), pages 1-28, February.
    2. Abdulrahman Aldogiher & Yasser Tawfik Halim & Mohamed Samy El-Deeb & Ahmed Mostafa Maree & Esmat Mostafa Kamel, 2025. "The Impact of Digital Teaching Technologies (DTTs) in Saudi and Egyptian Universities on Institutional Sustainability: The Mediating Role of Change Management and the Moderating Role of Culture, Techn," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 17(5), pages 1-43, February.

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