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METHODOLOGY ARTICLE
Human capital structure and new quality productive forces in manufacturing: a mediation analysis
1
Department of Labor Economics, Shandong Labor Vocational and Technical College, China
These authors had equal contribution to this work
Submission date: 2025-09-26
Final revision date: 2026-02-28
Acceptance date: 2026-03-27
Online publication date: 2026-04-08
Publication date: 2026-04-06
Corresponding author
Management 2026;(1):220-248
KEYWORDS
New Quality Productive ForcesHuman resource supplyMediation Effect testingHuman resources service industry
JEL CLASSIFICATION CODES
J24
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
This study provides a brief overview of the content related to developing new quality productive forces (NQPF) and manufacturing in the 2025 Government Work Report. It clarifies that talent is central to the innovative development of manufacturing and elaborates on the significance of talent-driven NQPF in manufacturing for achieving high-quality development.
Introducing the empirical research process, which analyzes Shanghai and Shenzhen A-share manufacturing enterprises from 2009 to 2023. Based on the theory of talent-driven NQPF, an intermediary effect testing model is employed.
Present empirical results indicate that the quality of talent in manufacturing enterprises can drive the enhancement of NQPF, with technological innovation playing an intermediary role.
Theoretically enriching research on the relationship between talent and NQPF. Practically provides development recommendations for manufacturing enterprises and the human resources service industry, such as innovation in collaborative mechanisms and diversified business models.
The study acknowledges potential limitations in sample selection and model construction, including that the sample is restricted to Shanghai and Shenzhen A-share manufacturing enterprises without covering other types of enterprises; the model may not fully encompass all influencing factors. Based on a theoretical analysis of talent-driven NQPF, this paper selects manufacturing enterprises listed on the Shanghai and Shenzhen A-share markets in China from 2009 to 2023 as research subjects. Using a mediation effect test model, it conducts an empirical study on how talent drives NQPF in manufacturing. The results demonstrate that the quality of talent in manufacturing enterprises drives the improvement of NQPF, with technological innovation playing a mediating role.
Combined with the results of empirical analysis, the human resource service industry talent supply perspective elaborated the synergistic mechanism innovation, diversified business innovation, industry digital intelligence reform and other aspects of the promotion of high-quality development of the manufacturing industry recommendations.
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| eISSN: | 2299-193X |
| ISSN: | 1429-9321 (1997-2019) |
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