Factors Influencing the Adoption of Industrial IoT for the Manufacturing and Production SMEs in Developing Countries

Abstract

Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) are steadily moving in the direction of implementing digital and smart technologies, including the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) for improving their products and services. The adoption of IIoT allows manufactures and producers to make quick decisions for improving productivity and quality in real-time. For this purpose, the era of digital industrial revolution from IR 1.0 to IR 5.0 is briefly explained. In this research study, the authors have reviewed and analysed the existing reviews, surveys and technical research studies on IIoT technologies for the manufacturing and production SMEs to highlight the concern raised. Forty-seven (47) influencing factors are identified and classified into four groups based on the TOEI framework. Based on the identified influencing factors, IIoT adoption model is proposed for the manufacturing and production SMEs to adopt the new IIoT technologies in their business environments. Furthermore, a comparative analysis of the influencing factors has been done for the adoption of IIoT to increase efficiency, productivity and competitiveness for the manufacturing and production SMEs in developing countries. The proposed IIoT adoption model will help future policymakers and stakeholders to develop policies and strategies for the successful adoption and implementation of IIoT in manufacturing and production SMEs in developing countries. Also, recommendations are suggested to encourage IIoT adoption in production and manufacturing environments so that manufacturers and producers can respond easily and quickly to highly changing demands, product trends, skills gaps and other unexpected challenges in the future.