Context-specific lean Industry 4.0 maturity model from the organisational learning perspective

This study proposes a Lean Industry 4.0 Maturity Model (LI4.0 MM) that integrates fuzzy inference systems with empirically validated indicators to assess organisations’ readiness for combining Lean principles with Industry 4.0 technologies. While existing maturity models address Lean and Industry 4.0, most rely on deterministic assessments and lack context-sensitivity for diverse industrial environments. Grounded in organisational learning theory, the proposed model bridges this gap through a multi-method approach combining a global qualitative survey of over 1,000 respondents, expert panel validation, and fuzzy rule-based assessment across Process, People, and Technology dimensions. Application across five organisations from distinct profiles demonstrates how contextual factors, including size, economic context, and adoption sequence, shape maturity trajectories. The model provides practitioners with a self-assessment tool that generates context-specific improvement roadmaps, facilitating targeted interventions for digitalisation and operational excellence.