Does Supply Chain Network Location Affect Innovation Performance of Manufacturing Enterprises? Evidence from China

The supply chain network is important for manufacturing enterprises to obtain innovation resources and information; hence, their network location significantly influences innovation performance. The existing research has focused on the factors and the macro environment of the innovation performance but lacks the exploration of how supply chain network location affects innovation performance from a supply chain network perspective. Based on a sample of A-share listed manufacturing enterprises from 2013 to 2023, this research constructs a supply chain network characterized by supplier–customer relationships to explore the impact of supply chain network location on innovation performance and the underlying mechanisms. The findings show that (1) the supply chain network location has a significant positive impact on the innovation performance; (2) operational risk plays a mediating role in the path between supply chain network location and innovation performance; and (3) digital transformation and information asymmetry play a moderating role in the relationship between supply chain network location and innovation performance. This research enriches the theoretical research on supply chain network location and innovation performance, providing insights for manufacturing enterprises to optimize innovation strategies and adjust their supply chain network locations.