Research on the Transformation and Upgrading Path of Traditional Enterprises from the Perspective of Cross-Boundary Innovation

Abstract

Cross-boundary innovation serves as a vital approach for traditional enterprises to break through development bottlenecks and realize transformation and upgrading amid a new round of scientific and technological revolution and industrial change. Set within the Chinese context, this paper first sorts out the theoretical connotation of cross-boundary innovation and systematically analyzes external environmental shifts and internal capability constraints confronting traditional enterprises in their transformation and upgrading. Further, it constructs a path framework for the cross-boundary transformation and upgrading of traditional enterprises from four dimensions: empowerment via technological cross-boundary innovation, transformation through service-oriented cross-boundary innovation, reconstruction enabled by platform-based cross-boundary innovation, and coordination driven by ecological cross-boundary innovation. This study reveals that cross-boundary innovation of traditional enterprises is not merely simple business diversification; instead, it represents a systematic reconstruction process anchored on core competencies, connected by digital technologies, and oriented toward value co-creation. On this basis, this paper proposes targeted strategic suggestions for traditional enterprises to implement cross-boundary innovation. The proposed framework enriches integrated research on traditional enterprises' transformation and upgrading. It also offers decision-making references for traditional enterprises with diverse resource endowments to advance cross-boundary innovation practices within China.