Innovation and Technology Management Strategies for Industry 4.0 Adoption in Small and Medium Enterprises in Developing Countries

In many developing countries, most small and medium-sized enterprises are lagging behind in the implementation of automation and digitalization technologies, and face the challenge of catching up with Industry 4.0 technological megatrends. To bridge this gap, there is a growing need for specialized training programs and government support aimed at helping these companies adopt automation and digitalization. The research activities of this work made it possible to identify and relate the technological trends of digital transformation with recurring technological needs of small and medium-sized enterprises in the industrial manufacturing sector. This action-research analysis identified critical gaps in knowledge and capabilities for the implementation of Industry 4.0 technologies. A key finding is the need for training in technology and innovation management, which plays a crucial role in guiding organizational change towards Open Innovation and digital transformation. To effectively address the shortcomings identified in the implementation of smart manufacturing digital technologies, it was necessary to adapt the technological and organizational enablers of an existing multidimensional maturity model and propose two structured roadmaps: 1) Stages of specialized training to develop innovation and technology management skills and for specialized training in automation and digitalization, and 2) A concurrent roadmap with stages of consulting and mentoring for the planning and implementation of automation and digitalization projects. The proposed roadmaps and strategies are suitable for developing the capabilities and infrastructure required for deploying smart systems and processes with Industry 4.0 digital technologies.