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

Round 1

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The structure of the paper is fundamentally sound. It is necessary to improve the paper's clarity, impact, and academic contribution.

1.      The detailed explanation of what constitutes a cross-sectional study within the methods section introduces redundancy and detracts from the specificity of the methodology employed. It's recommended to streamline this section to focus on the application of the methodology to the study at hand, rather than providing broad definitions that can be assumed as known by the target academic audience.

2.      Hypotheses are central to the paper's research framework but need clearer presentation and numbering for easier reference and comprehension. Clearly number and state each hypothesis, ensuring that it directly flows from the literature review. Provide a succinct yet comprehensive theoretical rationale for each hypothesis, linking back to the key concepts of digital transformation, corporate culture, leadership, and sustainability. Some paper that can be used in the beggining in the introduction to set the important context of sustainable performance are> Strategic planning and sustainable innovation during the COVID-19 pandemic: a literature review

M Waiganjo, D Godinic, B Obrenovic 

Also literature on manufacturing companies and digitalization> Zhao, S., (2023). Has China's low-carbon strategy pushed forward the digital transformation of manufacturing enterprises? Evidence from the low-carbon city pilot policy. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 102,

/Jiang, Z (2023). Disrupting the Technology Innovation Efficiency of Manufacturing Enterprises Through Digital Technology Promotion: An Evidence of 5G Technology Construction in China. IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management./ B Faulks -Exploring organizational readiness to change and learn: A SciVal analysis from 2012 to 2021, Journal of International Business Research and Marketing 7 (4), 18-22

3.      The graphical representation of the model requires improvement for better clarity and comprehension. A more professionally drawn model that clearly delineates variables, hypotheses paths, and moderating/mediating effects would enhance the reader's understanding of the theoretical framework and empirical analysis.

Comments on the Quality of English Language

significant improvement to be done

Author Response

1. The detailed explanation of what constitutes a cross-sectional study within the methods section introduces redundancy and detracts from the specificity of the methodology employed. It's recommended to streamline this section to focus on the application of the methodology to the study at hand, rather than providing broad definitions that can be assumed as known by the target academic audience.

Response: This section has been streamlined as per the suggestion of the reviewer and deleted the broad definitions to make it simpler.

2. Hypotheses are central to the paper's research framework but need clearer presentation and numbering for easier reference and comprehension. Clearly number and state each hypothesis, ensuring that it directly flows from the literature review. Provide a succinct yet comprehensive theoretical rationale for each hypothesis, linking back to the key concepts of digital transformation, corporate culture, leadership, and sustainability. Some paper that can be used in the beggining in the introduction to set the important context of sustainable performance are> Strategic planning and sustainable innovation during the COVID-19 pandemic: a literature review

M Waiganjo, D Godinic, B Obrenovic

Also literature on manufacturing companies and digitalization> Zhao, S., (2023). Has China's low-carbon strategy pushed forward the digital transformation of manufacturing enterprises? Evidence from the low-carbon city pilot policy. Environmental Impact Assessment Review, 102,/Jiang, Z (2023). Disrupting the Technology Innovation Efficiency of Manufacturing Enterprises Through Digital Technology Promotion: An Evidence of 5G Technology Construction in China. IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management./ B Faulks -Exploring organizational readiness to change and learn: A SciVal analysis from 2012 to 2021, Journal of International Business Research and Marketing 7 (4), 18-22

Response: The research framework of the study is more clearly presented now and each hypothesis is numbered now. The theoretical rationale for each hypothesis is added in the manuscript as per the suggestion of the reviewer. The data from the suggested papers has also been added.

3. The graphical representation of the model requires improvement for better clarity and comprehension. A more professionally drawn model that clearly delineates variables, hypotheses paths, and moderating/mediating effects would enhance the reader's understanding of the theoretical framework and empirical analysis.

Response: The graphical representation of the model is improved now for better clarity as per the comment of the reviewer.

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The article requires significant reworking.

The volume of the article in the first part should be reduced and the main thing should be formulated more precisely: what is the new scientific hypothesis of the authors? What new concept did the authors introduce and prove in their work? 

The expansion of the review of the existing literature is not a sufficient factor for the sufficient significance of one's own scientific achievement. 

From the point of view of mathematical statistics and other mathematical methods, it is necessary to present a calculated proof of increasing the sustainability of the company's development. The authors should introduce a scientific quantitative assessment indicator – which parameter, measured in the international measurement system, is the criterion for assessing the sustainability of a business? It is necessary to present a quantitative calculation of the contribution of the magnitude of digital changes to this parameter. All such studies are precise mathematical works.  

All statements and text fragments that have a common unscientific meaning in the form of general statements should be removed from the article. 

For example, the use of the phrases "is the main thing, is the first, is the most important.." from the article should be removed or supplemented with links to official publications of research results from the largest scientific centers of the world with an analysis of all the leading economies of the world at once. In such links, it is necessary to see that the country or the analysis system has the No. 1 police in the ranking on the issue under study. If the link does not show confirmation of the first place in the list of leadership according to large international agencies, then statements about the first positions of an object (systems, countries, organizations, etc.) should be removed from the article. 

Figure 7 needs to be reworked. It does not meet the requirements for mathematical graphics. 

The article should contain only proven data, only scientific methods, processes and conclusions. It is necessary to remove arguments that are not supported by statistically proven scientific research results.

Author Response

1- The volume of the article in the first part should be reduced and the main thing should be formulated more precisely: what is the new scientific hypothesis of the authors? What new concept did the authors introduce and prove in their work?

Response: The volume of the article in the first part has been reduced and it is formulated more precisely now and also highlights the new concepts and rationale of the study.

2-The expansion of the review of the existing literature is not a sufficient factor for the sufficient significance of one's own scientific achievement.

Response: As per instruction, revision is incorporated

3-From the point of view of mathematical statistics and other mathematical methods, it is necessary to present a calculated proof of increasing the sustainability of the company's development. The authors should introduce a scientific quantitative assessment indicator – which parameter, measured in the international measurement system, is the criterion for assessing the sustainability of a business? It is necessary to present a quantitative calculation of the contribution of the magnitude of digital changes to this parameter. All such studies are precise mathematical works. 

Response: This part has been revised as per your kind comments.

4-All statements and text fragments that have a common unscientific meaning in the form of general statements should be removed from the article.

For example, the use of the phrases "is the main thing, is the first, is the most important.." from the article should be removed or supplemented with links to official publications of research results from the largest scientific centers of the world with an analysis of all the leading economies of the world at once. In such links, it is necessary to see that the country or the analysis system has the No. 1 police in the ranking on the issue under study. If the link does not show confirmation of the first place in the list of leadership according to large international agencies, then statements about the first positions of an object (systems, countries, organizations, etc.) should be removed from the article.

Response: The section has been revised and incorporated as per the suggestions.

5-Figure 7 needs to be reworked. It does not meet the requirements for mathematical graphics.

Response: Figure 7 has been removed from this manuscript because that was not mandatory.

6-The article should contain only proven data, only scientific methods, processes and conclusions. It is necessary to remove arguments that are not supported by statistically proven scientific research results.

Response: Changes are made as per the comments.

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

Overall Opinion: The research employs intelligent PLS structural equation modeling (PLS-SEM) to analyze the impact of corporate culture, transformational leadership, and digital transformation on organizational sustainability, clarifying some relationships. This article needs further strengthening in its structural arrangement, such as the introduction and literature review being overly detailed and lacking in brevity, methods content appearing in the results, and the expressiveness and readability of figures and tables lacking. A major revision of the article is suggested.

 

Specific Comments：

1.       The introduction of this article devotes a considerable length to discussing the impact of corporate culture, leadership, and other factors on businesses, as well as their relationship with sustainable development. However, readers are unable to specifically connect to the mechanisms of these impacts, which are evidently covered in the literature review. Therefore, it is suggested to simplify this content.

2.       The literature review is divided into 10 sections, which makes the content appear excessive and lacking in conciseness. It is recommended to simplify this section and provide necessary summaries and conclusions of important findings and issues relevant to this article.

3.       In the methods section, the author defines the research approach as 'quantitative.' However, the approach seems more akin to a mixed-methods approach, both quantitative and qualitative. The author is unable to ascertain the extent of the factors' impact on the variables and their predictability. A revision of this statement is suggested.

4.       In the 'demographic data' section, how does the author explain the incompleteness of educational background and position coverage? Why were educational levels lower than a bachelor's degree and temporary positions not surveyed? Some explanations are suggested.

5.       It is recommended to present the results of section 3.2 in the form of tables or graphs and to provide accurate textual analysis of the results.

6.       The meanings and significance of metrics like Cronbach's Alpha and Composite Reliability (rho_a and rho_c) should be moved to the methods section for detailed explanation, while the results section should directly present these metrics' data outcomes and analysis.

7.       The figures and tables in the results section should be re-edited for standardization, readability, and aesthetics.

8.       Table 8 lacks readability.

9.       In Figure 7, the numbers on the y-axis should uniformly maintain one decimal place. Why is the meaning represented by different colors in the legend consistent? This figure is uninterpretable to the reader.

 

10.    The conclusion of the article does not reflect innovation and quantitativeness. Some conclusions seem unsupported by the research findings.

Author Response

1. The introduction of this article devotes a considerable length to discussing the impact of corporate culture, leadership, and other factors on businesses, as well as their relationship with sustainable development. However, readers are unable to specifically connect to the mechanisms of these impacts, which are evidently covered in the literature review. Therefore, it is suggested to simplify this content.

Response: The content of the introduction part is simplified now and the volume of the article in the first part has been reduced as per the suggestion.

2. The literature review is divided into 10 sections, which makes the content appear excessive and lacking in conciseness. It is recommended to simplify this section and provide necessary summaries and conclusions of important findings and issues relevant to this article.

Response: The authors have simplified this section and also added necessary summaries and conclusions of important findings and merged a few sections where needed.

3. In the methods section, the author defines the research approach as 'quantitative.' However, the approach seems more akin to a mixed-methods approach, both quantitative and qualitative. The author is unable to ascertain the extent of the factors' impact on the variables and their predictability. A revision of this statement is suggested.

Response: The revision is made as per the suggestion.

4. In the 'demographic data' section, how does the author explain the incompleteness of educational background and position coverage? Why were educational levels lower than a bachelor's degree and temporary positions not surveyed? Some explanations are suggested.

Response: The authors have explained the incompleteness of educational background and position coverage in the demographic part and also mentioned why educational levels lower than a bachelor's degree and temporary positions were not surveyed in this study.

5. It is recommended to present the results of section 3.2 in the form of tables or graphs and to provide accurate textual analysis of the results.

Response: As per your suggestions, changes have been made.

6. The meanings and significance of metrics like Cronbach's Alpha and Composite Reliability (rho_a and rho_c) should be moved to the methods section for detailed explanation, while the results section should directly present these metrics' data outcomes and analysis.

Response: This part has been revised as per the comments.

7. The figures and tables in the results section should be re-edited for standardization, readability, and aesthetics.

Response: The figures and tables in the results section are re-edited now.

8. Table 8 lacks readability.s

Response: The Table 8 has been revised as per the comments.

9. In Figure 7, the numbers on the y-axis should uniformly maintain one decimal place. Why is the meaning represented by different colors in the legend consistent? This figure is uninterpretable to the reader.

Response: Figure 7 has been removed from this manuscript because that was not mandatory.

10. The conclusion of the article does not reflect innovation and quantitativeness. Some conclusions seem unsupported by the research findings.

Response: This section has been revised and highlighted the important points.

Reviewer 4 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

1. This study used PLS-SEM modelling, quantitative research, and cross-research to get that the implementation of digital transformation, transformational leadership, and business culture can significantly improve the sustainability performance of corporations.

2. The content is succinctly described and contextualized with respect to previous and present theoretical background on the topic.

3. The cited references are relevant to the research.

4. The research design, questions, hypotheses and methods are clearly stated.

5. The sentence needs to be revised on Line 233 & 234.

6. The percentages of different age of participant on line 555 needs to be corrected.

7. The word of “Table 1” might be the wrong use of “Table 2” on Line 617.

8. Using “both Tables 3 and 4” instead of “both tables” on Line 653 would be better. 

9. Please correctly indicate Table 5, 6, 7 and 8 in this paper. 

10. Please correctly indicate all figures in this paper.

 

Author Response

1. This study used PLS-SEM modelling, quantitative research, and cross-research to get that the implementation of digital transformation, transformational leadership, and business culture can significantly improve the sustainability performance of corporations.

Response: As per instruction, revision is incorporated.

2. The content is succinctly described and contextualized with respect to previous and present theoretical background on the topic.

Response: Necessary changes have been made in the manuscript where needed.

3. The cited references are relevant to the research.

Response: Thanks for your kind comment.

4. The research design, questions, hypotheses and methods are clearly stated.

Response: Thanks for your kind comment.

5. The sentence needs to be revised on Line 233 & 234.

Response: The sentences have been revised now as per the comment.

6. The percentages of different age of participant on line 555 needs to be corrected.

Response: The percentages of different ages of participants are corrected now.

7. The word of “Table 1” might be the wrong use of “Table 2” on Line 617.

Response: Changes have been made as per the comment.

8. Using “both Tables 3 and 4” instead of “both tables” on Line 653 would be better.

 Response: This part has been revised as per your kind comments.

9. Please correctly indicate Table 5, 6, 7 and 8 in this paper.

Response: Tables 5, 6, 7 and 8 in this paper are correctly indicated now.

10. Please correctly indicate all figures in this paper.

Response: All figures in this paper are correctly indicated now as per the suggestion.

Reviewer 5 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

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

The content succinctly described and contextualized with respect to previous and present theoretical background and empirical research.

The cited references  are relevant to the research.

The originality, contribution to scholarship, quality of structure and clarity and overall merit of the article is average.

 

Round 2

Reviewer 1 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

modified

Comments on the Quality of English Language

modified

Reviewer 2 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The article can be published

Reviewer 3 Report

Comments and Suggestions for Authors

The quality of Figure 4-6 should be improved before accept

Comments on the Quality of English Language

No language comment