A Framework for Industry 4.0 Readiness and Maturity of Smart Manufacturing Enterprises: A Case Study

Abstract

Recently, researchers have proposed various maturity models (MMs) for assessing Industry 4.0 (I4.0) adoption; however, few have proposed a readiness framework (F/W) integrated with technology forecasting (TF) to evaluate the growth of I4.0 adoption and consequently provide a roadmap for the implementation of I4.0 for smart manufacturing enterprises. The aims of this study were (1) to review the research related to existing I4.0 MMs and F/Ws; (2) to propose a modular MM with four dimensions, five levels, 60 second-level dimensions, and 246 sub-dimensions, and a generic F/W with four layers and seven hierarchy levels; and (3) to conduct a survey-based case study of an automobile parts manufacturing enterprise by applying the MM and F/W to assess the I4.0 adoption level and TF model to anticipate the growth of I4.0. MM and F/W integrated with TF provides insight into the current situation and growth of the enterprise regarding I4.0 adoption, by identifying the gap areas, and provide a foundation for I4.0 integration. Case study findings show that the enterprise’s overall maturity score is 2.73 out of 5.00, and the forecasted year of full integration of I4.0 is between 2031 and 2034 depending upon the policy decisions.