Sector-Specific Attributes, Practical Challenges, and Policy Recommendationsfor China’s “Specialized, Refined, Differential and Innovation”Sports Enterprises

This study examines nationally certified “specialized, refined, differential and innovation” (SRDI) sports enterprises through methodologies including literature research, field research, and case analysis. Findings reveal that SRDI sports enterprises exhibit both generic patterns and sector-specific attributes. Their growth features include: evolving from “deep cultivation in niche sports segments” to “becoming invisible pillars of the industrial chain of the sports segments”, transitioning from “precision alignment with high-quality manufacturing standards” to “setting industry quality benchmarks”, advancing from “providing customized scenario solutions for athletic contexts” to “building differentiated competitive barriers”, and progressing from “technological breakthroughs in sports industry” to “leading industry-wide trendsetting innovation”. Currently, micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) in sports face challenges such as inadequate policy adaptability, limited global influence of core products, weak foundational support for critical elements, and obstacles to integrating into the “dual circulation” strategy. To address these issues, it is necessary to establish a tiered nurturing framework, accelerate the formulation and implementation of the sports “industrial chain” policy, enhance guidance for technological innovation, strengthen support for key elements, and create favorable environments for accessing domestic and international markets.