Bibliometric Analysis of Studies on Industry 4.0 Maturity Assessment in SMEs

Abstract

Introduction: This research aims to contribute to the organization and analysis of scientific literature related to the Assessment of the Digital Maturity Level of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The continuous relevance of digital transformation is emphasized, impacting SMEs and providing opportunities for integration into the global economy. Objective: The primary goal is to use bibliometric techniques to analyze and organize the available scientific literature in assessing the Digital Maturity Level of I4.0 in SMEs. It aims to contribute to understanding research trends, identifying knowledge gaps, and providing directions for future research. Methods: Conducting a comprehensive literature review, covering articles published between 2011 and 2023 on the Web of Science (WoS) and SciVerse Scopus (Scopus) platforms, were utilized for their strong reputation, extensive content, and global citations.Employing bibliometric techniques facilitated by VOSviewer and R studio's Bibliometrix R software for data processing and analysis. Results: Literature analysis revealed significant insights, including the scarcity of recent research on assessing the digital maturity level of SMEs in the context of I4.0. Identification of research trends, notable articles based on citations and publications, as well as recognition of frequently cited authors. Conclusion: The significance of the study lies in the thorough analysis of existing literature, evaluation of key research trends, and identification of gaps, providing valuable insights. Proposed directions and priorities for future research, highlight the need for further investigations into the digital maturity level of SMEs in the context of I4.0 and areas such as performance assessment and management skills.

Keywords

• bibliometric analysis; industry 4.0; readiness Models; SMEs; VOSviewer; R-studio´s Bibliometrix