The Measurement of Sustainable Regional Manufacturing Industry: The Case of China

Since the introduction of Made in China 2025 and its focus on sustainable development and manufacturing industry transformation, appropriate evaluation methods to accurately assess the development of China’s manufacturing industry have become essential. Therefore, this research constructed an innovative evaluation index system for manufacturing development based on seven dimensions: innovation, structural optimization, economic benefits, efficiency enhancements, green development, international competition, and social benefits. An objective combination weighted-gray correlation-TOPSIS (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to an Ideal Solution) evaluation model was applied to the Sichuan Province manufacturing industry data from 2009 to 2018 to create a representative sample, in which the overall development level from 2009 to 2016 took on an inverted U-shaped curve that reached its maximum in 2013, fell to its lowest point in 2016, and then began a steady upward trend marked by innovation and efficiency improvements; however, sustainability fell. Based on these results, this research provides a scientific reference for policy-makers with recommendations for innovation-driven development strategies, green development promotion, and social benefit improvements with the aim of promoting more sustainable development of China's manufacturing industry.