The Effects of Servitization, Digitalization, and Digital Learning Orientation on Sustainable Performance: A Hybrid PLS-SEM-ANN Model

Sustainability is a global concern. Industry 4.0 is driving the manufacturing sector toward sustainability within the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) framework, emphasizing economic, environmental, and social performance. However, limited empirical research has examined how servitization, digitalization, a...

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Main Authors: Xiaoxia Wu, Yunkai Tang, Xin Fang, Yueling Xu, Sijia Qiao
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: IEEE 2025-01-01
Series:IEEE Access
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Online Access:https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10870358/
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author Xiaoxia Wu
Yunkai Tang
Xin Fang
Yueling Xu
Sijia Qiao
author_facet Xiaoxia Wu
Yunkai Tang
Xin Fang
Yueling Xu
Sijia Qiao
author_sort Xiaoxia Wu
collection DOAJ
description Sustainability is a global concern. Industry 4.0 is driving the manufacturing sector toward sustainability within the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) framework, emphasizing economic, environmental, and social performance. However, limited empirical research has examined how servitization, digitalization, and digital learning orientation (DLO) interact to influence all three dimensions of sustainable performance. This study addresses this gap by proposing a tri-theoretical framework based on TBL, Resource-based View (RBV), and Dynamic Capability View (DCV). A hybrid partial least squares structural equation modeling-artificial neural network (PLS-SEM-ANN) model was developed to examine the direct effects of servitization and digitalization, the mediating effect of digitalization, and the moderating effect of DLO. An empirical analysis of 519 Chinese manufacturing employees revealed that servitization and digitalization positively impact sustainable performance, with digitalization acting as a mediating factor. Servitization also positively impacts digitalization. However, DLO negatively moderates the relationship between servitization and sustainable performance. A case study of Amazon.com, Inc. validates our quantitative findings by demonstrating the impact of servitization, digitalization, and DLO strategies on sustainable performance in real-world applications. These findings reveal theoretical and practical implications for effectively leveraging servitization, digitalization, and DLO to achieve practical sustainability.
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spelling doaj-art-b1b45f3dcf7d4f2c9b19a268b1e6dfa82025-08-20T02:15:30ZengIEEEIEEE Access2169-35362025-01-0113305703058510.1109/ACCESS.2025.353863510870358The Effects of Servitization, Digitalization, and Digital Learning Orientation on Sustainable Performance: A Hybrid PLS-SEM-ANN ModelXiaoxia Wu0https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9626-1595Yunkai Tang1https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5714-0771Xin Fang2Yueling Xu3Sijia Qiao4https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8698-9013School of Digitally Intelligent Accounting and Finance, Zhejiang Institute of Economics and Trade, Hangzhou, ChinaSchool of Law and Politics, Zhejiang Sci-Tech University, Hangzhou, ChinaSchool of Business Administration, Dongfang College, Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics, Haining, ChinaSchool of Finance, Yingyang School of Financial Technology, Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics, Hangzhou, ChinaDepartment of Finance, Shanghai National Accounting Institute, Shanghai, ChinaSustainability is a global concern. Industry 4.0 is driving the manufacturing sector toward sustainability within the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) framework, emphasizing economic, environmental, and social performance. However, limited empirical research has examined how servitization, digitalization, and digital learning orientation (DLO) interact to influence all three dimensions of sustainable performance. This study addresses this gap by proposing a tri-theoretical framework based on TBL, Resource-based View (RBV), and Dynamic Capability View (DCV). A hybrid partial least squares structural equation modeling-artificial neural network (PLS-SEM-ANN) model was developed to examine the direct effects of servitization and digitalization, the mediating effect of digitalization, and the moderating effect of DLO. An empirical analysis of 519 Chinese manufacturing employees revealed that servitization and digitalization positively impact sustainable performance, with digitalization acting as a mediating factor. Servitization also positively impacts digitalization. However, DLO negatively moderates the relationship between servitization and sustainable performance. A case study of Amazon.com, Inc. validates our quantitative findings by demonstrating the impact of servitization, digitalization, and DLO strategies on sustainable performance in real-world applications. These findings reveal theoretical and practical implications for effectively leveraging servitization, digitalization, and DLO to achieve practical sustainability.https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10870358/Sustainable performanceservitizationdigitalizationdigital learning orientationPLS-SEM-ANN
spellingShingle Xiaoxia Wu
Yunkai Tang
Xin Fang
Yueling Xu
Sijia Qiao
The Effects of Servitization, Digitalization, and Digital Learning Orientation on Sustainable Performance: A Hybrid PLS-SEM-ANN Model
IEEE Access
Sustainable performance
servitization
digitalization
digital learning orientation
PLS-SEM-ANN
title The Effects of Servitization, Digitalization, and Digital Learning Orientation on Sustainable Performance: A Hybrid PLS-SEM-ANN Model
title_full The Effects of Servitization, Digitalization, and Digital Learning Orientation on Sustainable Performance: A Hybrid PLS-SEM-ANN Model
title_fullStr The Effects of Servitization, Digitalization, and Digital Learning Orientation on Sustainable Performance: A Hybrid PLS-SEM-ANN Model
title_full_unstemmed The Effects of Servitization, Digitalization, and Digital Learning Orientation on Sustainable Performance: A Hybrid PLS-SEM-ANN Model
title_short The Effects of Servitization, Digitalization, and Digital Learning Orientation on Sustainable Performance: A Hybrid PLS-SEM-ANN Model
title_sort effects of servitization digitalization and digital learning orientation on sustainable performance a hybrid pls sem ann model
topic Sustainable performance
servitization
digitalization
digital learning orientation
PLS-SEM-ANN
url https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10870358/
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