Assessing Industry 4.0 implementation maturity in manufacturing MSMEs - a graph theory and matrix-based approach

PurposeIn this paper, a graph theory-based maturity model to comprehensively assess the Industry 4.0 maturity level by means of a multidimensional Industry 4.0 maturity score (MIMS) is proposed.Design/methodology/approachThe proposed maturity assessment model is based on (1) the identification of the maturity dimensions and assessment parameters from existing literature and expert opinion and (2) the development of the assessment model based on graph theory and matrix-based approach. The illustrative application of the developed model in two case enterprises is also included.FindingsThe model is configured to include six dimensions having 30 constituent attributes. Unlike the case with many of the previously published models, the proposed model does not evaluate the progress in specific Industry 4.0 enabling technologies, rather the assessment parameters are associated with the functional areas.Practical implicationsWhile the configuration of the proposed model enables a comprehensive maturity assessment, it facilitates the identification of contextual dimensional attributes and assists the enterprises in developing the roadmap for Industry 4.0 implementation aligning to the diverse organizational strategies.Originality/valueDistinctively, the proposed model apprehends the interdependency between the maturity assessment dimensions and their constituent attributes. Also, the maturity model incorporates the assessment of the maturity in the dimension of inbound and outbound integration. While these two dimensions are crucial in the Industry 4.0 ecosystem, to the best of our knowledge, these are not considered by any of the assessment models published so far.