Abstract:With the widespread application of big data technology, its use has played a significant role in enhancing the productivity and competitiveness of the manufacturing industry. Exploring the impact of big data on the high-quality development of manufacturing enterprises could provide new implementation pathways for Chinese-style modernization. This study theoretically analyzes the mechanisms through which big data influences the high-quality development of manufacturing enterprises from two perspectives: alleviating financing constraints and optimizing innovation factor allocation. Using data from 1,110 Chinese listed manufacturing companies from 2013 to 2021, a two-way fixed effects panel model was constructed for empirical testing. The findings reveal that big data significantly promotes high-quality development in manufacturing enterprises, with regression results remaining robust after a series of stability and endogeneity tests. Big data facilitates high-quality development through dual channels of easing financing constraints and optimizing innovation resource allocation. Heterogeneity analysis shows that big data demonstrates more pronounced effects in promoting high-quality development for state-owned enterprises, large-scale firms, and enterprises in eastern China. To encourage big data adoption in manufacturing for quality-driven growth, recommendations include accelerating regional digital service system development, establishing cross-regional financial cooperation mechanisms, and formulating differentiated policy frameworks tailored to regional manufacturing realities.