Measurement and evaluation of digital and intelligent development level of industrial enterprises based on extenics

In the context of rapid advancements in digital technologies and artificial intelligence, industrial digitization and intelligence has emerged as a critical pathway for enhancing competitive advantage. Accurately measuring and evaluating the digital and intelligent development level of industrial enterprises holds significant implications for enabling firms to clarify their transformation pathways. Based on a systematic literature review and expert consultation, 8 indicators are identified for measurement and evaluation.This study applies an Extension Evaluation Method (EEM) to assessing the digital and intelligent development level of industrial enterprises. An empirical case study-R0 is presented to illustrate the process of measurement and evaluation. The findings demonstrate that this evaluation model can effectively assess the digital and intelligent development (Level I: 0.3422) of the industrial enterprise, while clearly identifying its competitive advantages (c1, c2, c6) and development constraints (c3, c4, c5, c7, c8). The EEM systematically resolves the coexistence of qualitative and quantitative indicators and the incompatibility between indicators, thereby offering a robust basis for developing effective strategies.