The impact of place quality brand on high-quality development of manufacturing: a moderated mediation model

Compared with traditional place brand, place quality brand is an innovative practice that can promote high-quality development in modern manufacturing. There is, however, a lack of sufficient theoretical research on practical cases, which hampers the development of place quality brand. This study investigates how place quality brand can influence high-quality manufacturing development through an ‘advanced standard system + quality certification pattern’. We employ a moderated mediation model that involves place quality brand, advanced standards, absorptive capacity, and four dimensions of high-quality manufacturing development (quality level, economic benefit, green development, and technology innovation). Partial least-squares structural equation modelling reveals that place quality brand has a significant effect on all four dimensions. Advanced standards partially mediate the relationship between place quality brand and high-quality manufacturing development. Absorptive capacity plays a moderating role between place quality brand and advanced standards; it also moderates the indirect effects of place quality brand on the four dimensions, with a stronger mediating relationship under high absorptive capacity. These findings improve our understanding of the relationship between place quality brand and high-quality manufacturing development and can inform government strategies.