Modelling and Analysing the Structural Relationship Among Industry 4.0 Dimensions

The ongoing revolution in the Industry 4.0 (I4.0) environment has spurred substantial advancements for numerous businesses and has amplified the need for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to undergo digital transformation. The present study aims to explore and analyse the various I4.0 implementation enablers in SMEs. The authors employed ISM method to analyse the interrelationships among the variables under consideration. Subsequently, a MICMAC analysis is performed to group the variables into four categories: drivers, dependents, autonomous, and linkages. In our investigation, it was determined that factors such as data security, customer-centric innovativeness, and implementation cost served as driving variables. Meanwhile, government support, top management commitment, and availability of skilled employees were found to act as driving variables. ISM model results rely on expert assessments and could suffer from input bias, affecting results validity. The study could be improved by a comprehensive examination of variables and validated with structural equation modelling techniques. A comprehensive examination of the interconnections among the enabling factors can assist managers in facilitating a I4.0 implementation. The study presents a composite methodology for analysing I4.0 enablers, including government support, top management commitment, skilled employees, IT infrastructure, and R&D.