Readiness assessment for smart manufacturing system implementation: multiple case of Indian small and medium enterprises

In recent times, a paradigm shift is observed in the manufacturing domain through the inception of the smart manufacturing (SM) system. Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in developing countries are striving hard to catch up with this transition. Thus, a need arises to assess their preparedness and subsequently develop an appropriate mechanism for transition. In this context, readiness assessment is a suitable approach that clearly depicts the quantification and qualification of readiness stages through various dimensions. To this effect, this study proposes a generic readiness assessment model with 5 stages, 6 building blocks, and 22 dimensions. Furthermore, the dimensions are ranked using 'Stepwise Weight Assessment Ratio Analysis (SWARA)' to understand their influence on overall readiness attainment. The practical viability of the proposed readiness assessment model is tested on five Indian SMEs. Based on the readiness level of each organization, recommendations are made to further improve their preparedness for transformation. Other SMEs can utilize this tool as a self-assessment methodology to check their status and subsequently strategize their policies for future transformation.