Digital empowerment for manufacturing enterprises transformation: an SAO framework analysis of legitimacy, availability and governance mechanisms

Purpose This study investigates the mechanisms of digital empowerment in manufacturing enterprise transformation. This is a critical but underexplored strategic objective. It aims to clarify the differentiated pathways through which digital technologies enable transformation across operational, procedural, and systemic dimensions. Design/methodology/approach The research uses a multi-method approach. The subject-action-object (SAO) framework guides the analysis. Knowledge graphs and meta-analysis identify key influencing factors. ElasticNet regression determines context-specific factor combinations for different transformation aspects. Case studies validate quantitative findings and synthesize reform mechanisms. Findings Digital empowerment enables operational, process and systemic transformation, critical for post-pandemic resilience. This occurs through enhanced specific legitimacy, availability and governance. Enterprises enhance operational vitality through improved alignment increase process orderliness via enhanced coordination, and accelerate ecosystem development via system coupling. This reflects an evolving trajectory characterized by expanding scope, deepening engagement and advancing value from digital empowerment. Practical implications Managers should focus on key SAO combinations for targeted transformation. For operational agility, achieve industry recognition through certification and alliances, deploy integrated technologies and implement adaptive governance; To optimize processes, encourage cooperation and eliminate data silos and reorganize rules with structured governance; For systemic change and ecosystem resilience, establish cross-industry innovation platforms, secure ecological niche recognition and creatively integrate diverse resources through governance. Originality/value A novel framework grounded in the SAO is developed for the analysis of mechanisms underlying digital transformation. Through a mixed-method approach, three distinct transformation mechanisms were validated. The study clarifies the varied pathways and underlying logics of digital empowerment for different changes.