Characterizing Smartness in the Manufacturing Domain: Literature Review and Development of a Classification Framework

Smartness represents a key phenomenon in the digital era. This also applies to the manufacturing domain, where researchers and practitioners discuss concepts such as smart machines, smart manufacturing systems, or smart maintenance services. While all those concepts are called smart, it remains vague what this smartness means. Considering this background, we want to understand what similar characteristics are implemented in those smart devices, systems, and services of the manufacturing domain that make them smart. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review of literature focusing on multiple characteristics associated with the smartness of devices, systems, and services in this domain. We synthesize our results in a classification framework—consisting of 9 dimensions and 37 characteristics. Our classification framework contributes to the existing body of knowledge by providing a more nuanced understanding of the implementation of smartness in the manufacturing domain and offering manufacturing practitioners a ‘guidance tool’ for exploring and designing smart devices, systems, and services. We conclude by discussing some gaps in the identified literature and corresponding future research opportunities.