Manufacturing Digital Transformation & AI Readiness Survey

Introduction


This questionnaire is designed to help manufacturing multinational corporations gain a deeper understanding of digital transformation and AI adoption. It contains 63 questions and should take approximately 5-8 minutes to complete. Following our analysis of the survey results, we will share with you a report that assesses where your company currently stands in this journey and identifies how we can support you in better adapting to the era of Industry 4.0.


Please answer the following questions based on your company’s operations in China. The questionnaire should ideally be completed by a senior leader such as the CEO, COO, CTO, or people in other equivalent roles who are most familiar with your company’s digital and AI strategies. The survey is completely anonymous. 

Section 1

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1.
In which sector does your company primarily operate?
Automotive manufacturing.
Chemical materials and chemical products manufacturing.
Computer, tele-communication, and other electronic equipment manufacturing.
Cultural, arts and crafts, and sports & entertainment goods manufacturing.
Electrical machinery and equipment manufacturing.
Food manufacturing.
Household appliance manufacturing.
General equipment manufacturing.
Instrumentation manufacturing.
Paper and paper products manufacturing.
Railway, ship, aerospace, and other transportation equipment manufacturing.
Pharmaceutical and biomanufacturing.
Other manufacturing, service industry, or other non-manufacturing industries (please specify):
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2.
How many people does your company employ in China?
Less than 10
10-20 people
20-50 people
51-100 people
101-500 people
more than 500 people
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3.
For how many years has your company had operations in China?
1-3 years
4-5 years
6-10 years
11-20 years
over 20 years
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4.
Which of the following best describes your primary role within the company?
Founder / Owner
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) / Managing Director (MD)
Chief Technology / Information Officer (CTO/CIO)
Head of Department / Functional Manager (e.g., Marketing, Finance, HR, Operations)
IT Manager / Systems Administrator
Other (please specify):
Section 2

For Section 2, question 5–10 contain subquestions. Please click 'Next' to proceed to them.
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5.
Please indicate your level of agreement with the following statements about AI: (7 represents strongly agree, 1 represents strongly disagree) 
This question contains 6 sub-questions. Please kindly ensure that all of them have been answered.
1. I am confident in my understanding of what the term "Artificial Intelligence" means in a contemporary business context. (7=strongly agree, 1=strongly disagree)
2. I can distinguish between different types of AI, such as chatbots, predictive analytics, and autonomous agents.(7=strongly agree, 1=strongly disagree)
3. I follow news or developments related to AI and its business applications.(7=strongly agree, 1=strongly disagree)
4. I understand the core capabilities of large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT or Claude.(7=strongly agree, 1=strongly disagree)
5. I am aware of the basic data requirements (e.g., quality, structure) for implementing effective AI solutions.(7=strongly agree, 1=strongly disagree)
6. I feel confident in discussing the potential of AI for business improvement with colleagues or advisors.(7=strongly agree, 1=strongly disagree)
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6.
For each of the following back-office functions, please indicate your level of agreement with the statement: “AI tools could significantly improve efficiency or outcomes in this area of our business”(7 represents Strongly Agree, 1 represents Strongly Disagree)
This question contains 8 sub-questions. Please kindly ensure that all of them have been answered.
1. Marketing (e.g., generating advertising copy, analysing campaign performance, personalising content).(7=strongly agree, 1=strongly disagree)
2. Sales (e.g., lead scoring, email outreach personalisation, sales forecasting).(7=strongly agree, 1=strongly disagree)
3. Accounting & Finance (e.g., automated invoice processing, fraud detection, financial forecasting).(7=strongly agree, 1=strongly disagree)
4. Human Resources (e.g., screening CVs, drafting job descriptions, analysing employee sentiment).(7=strongly agree, 1=strongly disagree)
5. Supply Chain & Purchasing (e.g., predicting inventory needs, optimising supplier selection, analysing logistics data).(7=strongly agree, 1=strongly disagree)
6. Customer Support (e.g., 24/7 automated query handling, ticket routing, sentiment analysis of feedback).(7=strongly agree, 1=strongly disagree)
7. IT Management & Administration (e.g., automated system monitoring, troubleshooting guides, code generation for internal tools).(7=strongly agree, 1=strongly disagree)
8. General Administration & Strategy (e.g., meeting summarisation, market research synthesis, drafting policy documents).(7=strongly agree, 1=strongly disagree)
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7.
Please indicate your level of agreement with the following statements regarding the current use of AI within your company’s China operations: (7 represents strongly agree, 1 represents strongly disagree)
ThisThis question contains 9 sub-questions. Please kindly ensure that all of them have been answered.
1. We use AI as a tool in enhancing the features, functions, and performance of our products. (e.g., Improve product processes, shorten R&D cycles, enhance quality, accelerate time-to-market, etc.).(7=strongly agree, 1=strongly disagree)
2. We use AI to optimize external processes like marketing and sales (including but not limited to: web portals, mobile applications, chatbots, etc.).(7=strongly agree, 1=strongly disagree)
3. We use AI to assist corporate decision-making, enhancing capabilities in forecasting, evaluation, analysis, insight, and so on.(7=strongly agree, 1=strongly disagree)
4. We use AI to optimize internal business operations by capturing and analyzing data generated by platform systems.(7=strongly agree, 1=strongly disagree)
5. We use AI to free up repetitive labour work by automating tasks.(7=strongly agree, 1=strongly disagree)
6. We have explored or adopted cloud-based services for processing data and performing AI and machine learning.(7=strongly agree, 1=strongly disagree)
7. We have looked into using AI infrastructure to ensure that data is secured from end to end with the latest technology.(7=strongly agree, 1=strongly disagree)
8. We have the necessary processing power to support AI applications (e.g., CPUs, GPUs).(7=strongly agree, 1=strongly disagree)
9. The AI initiatives in our company are adequately funded.(7=strongly agree, 1=strongly disagree)
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8.
Please rate the extent to which you believe the following factors are barriers to AI adoption in your company. (7 represents critical barrier, 1 represents not a barrier)
This question contains 9 sub-questions. Please kindly ensure that all of them have been answered.
1. Lack of in-house or out-sourced technical expertise or skills.(7=critical barrier, 1=not a barrier)
2. High costs of implementation, licensing, or development.(7=critical barrier, 1=not a barrier)
3. Concerns about data privacy, security, and confidentiality.(7=critical barrier, 1=not a barrier)
4. Uncertainty about the return on investment (ROI) or clear use cases.(7=critical barrier, 1=not a barrier)
5. Integration challenges with our existing software and systems.(7=critical barrier, 1=not a barrier)
6. Lack of time or resources to research and implement new tools.(7=critical barrier, 1=not a barrier)
7. Concerns about reliability, accuracy, or potential for error ("hallucinations").(7=critical barrier, 1=not a barrier)
8. General resistance to change or lack of management buy-in.(7=critical barrier, 1=not a barrier)
9. Restrictions imposed by our parent company.(7=critical barrier, 1=not a barrier)
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9.
Please indicate your level of agreement with the following statements regarding the readiness of your company to deepen the integration of AI tools and applications into your China operations: (7 represents strongly agree, 1 represents strongly disagree)
This question contains 8 sub-questions. Please kindly ensure that all of them have been answered.
1. We can easily access data from our supplier or customer’s platform systems such as ERP, WMS, APS, EHS, MES, SCM, SRM, etc.(7=strongly agree, 1=strongly disagree)
2. Our platform systems seamlessly connect to our supplier or customer's platform systems for e.g. forecasting, production, manufacturing, shipment etc.
3. Our platform has the capability to exchange real-time information with our partners.(7=strongly agree, 1=strongly disagree)
4. Our platform easily aggregates relevant information from inter-function databases (e.g., operating information, business customer performance, quality control, production information, cost information etc.).(7=strongly agree, 1=strongly disagree)
5. Our platform is easily adapted to include new partners.(7=strongly agree, 1=strongly disagree)
6. Our platform can be easily extended to accommodate new applications or functions.(7=strongly agree, 1=strongly disagree)
7. Our platform incorporates standards that are accepted by most of our current and potential partners.(7=strongly agree, 1=strongly disagree)
8. Our platform consists of modular software components, most of which can be combined with key business areas and achieve integration of multiple elements for data driven intelligent experiences.(7=strongly agree, 1=strongly disagree)
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10.
Please indicate your level of agreement with the following statements regarding the innovativeness of your company in China: (7 represents strongly agree, 1 represents strongly disagree)
This question contains 19 sub-questions. Please kindly ensure that all of them have been answered.
1. We are proficient at combining and exchanging cross-functional ideas to solve problems or create opportunities.(7=strongly agree, 1=strongly disagree)
2. We believe that by exchanging and combining ideas we can move new projects or initiatives forward more quickly than by working alone.(7=strongly agree, 1=strongly disagree)
3. We are capable of receiving expertise from headquarters and other subsidiaries to bring new projects or initiatives to fruition.(7=strongly agree, 1=strongly disagree)
4. We are capable of sharing our expertise to headquarters and other subsidiaries to bring new projects or initiatives to fruition.(7=strongly agree, 1=strongly disagree)
5. We are willing to receive and combine ideas from our suppliers, customers and third-party expertise to find solutions to problems.(7=strongly agree, 1=strongly disagree)
6. We are willing to share our ideas to our suppliers, customers, and third parties to find solutions to problems.(7=strongly agree, 1=strongly disagree)
7. It is rare for our employees to exchange and combine ideas to find solutions to problems.(7=strongly agree, 1=strongly disagree)
8. Our firm accepts demands that go beyond existing products and services.(7=strongly agree, 1=strongly disagree)
9. We invent new products and services.(7=strongly agree, 1=strongly disagree)
10. We experiment with new products and services in our local market.(7=strongly agree, 1=strongly disagree)
11. We commercialize products and services that are completely new to our firm (e.g., commercializing newly created product concepts or scenarios that customers have never experienced).(7=strongly agree, 1=strongly disagree)
12. We frequently utilize new opportunities in new markets.(7=strongly agree, 1=strongly disagree)
13. Our firm regularly uses new distribution channels.(7=strongly agree, 1=strongly disagree)
14. We regularly search for and approach new clients in new markets.(7=strongly agree, 1=strongly disagree)
15. We regularly broaden the range of products and services offered to existing customers.(7=strongly agree, 1=strongly disagree)
16. We regularly implement small adaptations to existing products and services.(7=strongly agree, 1=strongly disagree)
17. We introduce improved, but existing products and services for our local market.(7=strongly agree, 1=strongly disagree)
18. We improve our provision and delivery efficiency of products and services.(7=strongly agree, 1=strongly disagree)
19. Lowering costs of internal processes and operations is our important objective.(7=strongly agree, 1=strongly disagree)
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11.
Regarding AI implementation, what specific knowledge or skills does your company most need to acquire?
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