Network-mediated effect of low-carbon technology diffusion from industrial clusters to hubs among manufacturing enterprises

In today's globalized industrial landscape, manuacturing has evolved from an initial phase of free and balanced development into a more distinct pattern characterized by the formation of industrial clusters and network hubs. This study investigates industrial clustering and network hub effects by applying small-world and scale-free network models to model the co-evolutionary dynamics between enterprise strategic behavior and the network topology, using the beer company in the food industry as a representative case. The research findings demonstrate that by establishing carbon footprint and labeling systems, policymakers can build a low-carbon supply chain linking the manufacturing supply side with consumer demand, thereby enabling consumers to effectively identify low-carbon products. More manufacturing companies are being integrated into this network as consumer preferences for low carbon become more evident. To accelerate the diffusion of low-carbon technologies, policymakers should advance structural transformation in the manufacturing sector and strengthen support for small and medium-sized enterprises. Furthermore, scale-free networks exhibit greater resilience to disruptions than small-world networks. Oligopolistic enterprises are less susceptible to external network shocks due to their substantial economic resources. Policymakers should therefore encourage these enterprises to assume a leading role in guiding surrounding small and medium-sized manufacturers toward collective adoption of low-carbon production practices.