A Meta-analysis On The Relationship Between Servitization Strategy And Manufacturing Enterprise Performance

Whether servitization strategy will help manufacturing enterprises improve their performance has become a core issue in servitization of manufacturing research field, and there are disputes for a long time. The relationship between the two variables is positively correlated, negatively correlated, U-shaped, inverted U-shaped, Saddle-shaped, or even irrelevant, there are various conclusions. Based on 62 empirical literatures from 1988 to 2015, 31449 independent samples, using Meta-analysis, this paper make a comprehensive quantitative analysis of the relationship between servitization strategy and enterprise performance. The result shows that, servitization strategy has a positive impact on the manufacturing enterprise performance, and the intensity is moderate (r=0.312, p<0.001). Thus, we can infer that the current trend of servitization is promising, and manufacturing enterprise service transition is also profitable. More importantly, we also use Meta-analysis explore the potential moderating effect between servitization strategy and manufacturing enterprise performance. Specific results as following:(1) The relationship between servitization and enterprise performance is affected by servitization strategy’s measurement. From the view of measurement type, compared with the SSP, the relationship between SSC and enterprise performance is more significant, service-oriented manufacturing enterprises should follow the general path of evolution from the SSP to SSC; From view of the measurement method, compared to the single question measurement, the servitization performance is more significant under the multiple questions measurement, multiple questions measurement is better reflecting the real situation of enterprise performance.. (2) The relationship between servitization and enterprise performance is affected by enterprise performance measurement. From view of the measurement method, compared with the objective performance, the relationship between servitization strategy and subjective performance is more significant, which means that in practice servitization performance have been exaggerated; From the view of measurement type, compared with the financial performance, the relationship between servitization strategy and non-financial performance is more significant, indicating that with respect to the non-financial impact of servitization, servitization has long-lasting financial impact. (3) The relationship between servitization and enterprise performance is affected by empirical research method, Using regression analysis and structural equation modeling, the results vary, but the Structural Equation Model is more suitable for servitization circumstances. (4) The relationship between servitization and enterprise performance is affected by the level of national economy, compared with European and American countries, Chinese manufacturing enterprises’ servitization performance is more significant, Chinese manufacturers need to seize the opportunity to make the appropriate preparations and catch up. (5) The relationship between servitization and enterprise performance is affected by enterprise characteristics. Firstly, servitization and enterprise performance is affected by the level of enterprise technology, compared with traditional manufacturing enterprises, high-tech manufacturing enterprise servitization performance is more obvious; Secondly, servitization and enterprise performance is affected the industry, compared with the general manufacturing enterprises, equipment manufacturing enterprise’s servitization performance is more obvious. (6) The relationship between servitization and enterprise performance is affected by the data collection time, compared to the previous 2008, after 2008, enterprise performance is more significant. In other words, servitization strategy is an effective strategy for manufacturing enterprises to cope with turbulence, competitive market environment. Finally, enterprise size regulating in the relationship between servitization and financial performance is not significant. That is, whether in large or small and medium enterprises, the "service paradox" phenomenon is there.