Affiliation:
1. University of Sannio, Italy
Abstract
Digital technologies offer a great opportunity to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) as they can adopt digital transformation more rapidly than large enterprises due to their greater flexibility and lean decision-making processes. So far there is no universal vision for a potential organizational model or design for Industry 4.0 SMEs. The research aimed to address this important gap by exploring the impact of digital technologies on organizational design in Industry 4.0 SMEs. The research builds on culture, staff, processes, and governance framework and follows a qualitative embedded case study design drawing on both employees' interviews and company documentation. The study provides insights about the main features, opportunities, and risks that are characterizing the current digital revolution in Industry 4.0 SMEs. Furthermore, the analysis of a notable Italian entrepreneurial reality revealed a set of practical suggestions and guidelines for other international SMEs that need to face the Industry 4.0 revolution with confidence and a proactive approach.
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5. Introduction