Keywords
Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises; SMEs; Technology Adoption, Digital Transformation, Readiness and Maturity Models, Roadmap, Digital Assessment, Industry 4.0, Fourth Industrial Revolution, Technology-Organization-Environment, TOE, Saudi Arabia
Abstract
Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (SMEs) have garnered significant attention from governments worldwide due to their crucial role in job creation and economic growth. In Saudi Arabia, SMEs contribute approximately one-third of the country's economic output and employ about half of its workforce. In today's world, rapid technological and societal developments create economic and financial challenges. To survive and compete in their markets, SMEs must improve their agility and responsiveness to market changes. Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0) technology and techniques are a way to enhance SME business and operations. Industry 4.0 has garnered significant attention from researchers over the past decade. However, because implementing Industry 4.0 technology requires well-defined processes and considerable investment, management is uncertain of its benefits. Therefore, readiness and maturity models are necessary because they provide companies with knowledge and information about their current state. Accordingly, identifying the challenges that impact the adoption of Industry 4.0 in SMEs may play a crucial role in overcoming these obstacles and facilitating a smooth transition to Industry 4.0. This research conducted a systematic literature review to identify the Industry 4.0 concept and investigate the dimensions, factors, and items of existing Industry 4.0 readiness and maturity models. Furthermore, the study identified and examined the challenges faced by the SMEs in adopting Industry 4.0. This research developed a conceptual model by utilizing a Technology-Organization-Environment framework and a Technological Innovations Intervention, which emphasizes the perceived benefits of adopting suitable technologies. The model was tested and validated by examining the impact of the intervention on the intention to adopt Industry 4.0 in Saudi SMEs. The research found that the intervention is a compelling, novel, and original tool that plays a significant role in shaping the intention to adopt Industry 4.0 technologies and enhances the adoption speed among SMEs.
Completion Date
2025
Semester
Fall
Committee Chair
O'Neal, Thomas
Degree
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
College
College of Engineering and Computer Science
Department
Industrial Engineering and Management Systems
Format
Language
English
Release Date
12-15-2027
Document Type
Dissertation
Campus Location
Orlando (Main) Campus
Subjects
Small business--Technological innovations--Decision making; Small business--Technological innovations--Management; Small business--Technological innovations--Economic aspects; Research--Technological innovations; Manufacturing industries--Technological innovations--Management
STARS Citation
Alsaadi, Mohammed H., "Reinforcing the Technology-Environment-Organization Framework with Technological Innovations Intervention to Support the Adoption of Industry 4.0 Technologies in Small and Medium Enterprises" (2025). Graduate Thesis and Dissertation post-2024. 523.
https://stars.library.ucf.edu/etd2024/523
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