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Purpose This research addresses Industry 4.0 (I4.0) adoption challenges among logistics small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with a focus on improving warehouse goods movement. Considering SMEs' constraints (e.g. limited resources, expertise and readiness), the study develops Logistics Industry 4.0 Readiness and Assessment (LIRA), a strategic dashboard to assess preparedness for digital transformation. Design/methodology/approach The study employs a conceptual research approach to develop the LIRA dashboard. The methodology involves a literature-driven theoretical model development. The dashboard development includes: assessing organizational readiness through Foundational Building Blocks; defining the technological domain for goods movement in warehouse logistics; evaluating Operational Conditions; and applying an adapted ROI 4.0 model to evaluate the profitability of I4.0 investments. Findings The research yields a dashboard system to support SMEs' I4.0 journey. The dashboard integrates a readiness assessment model with adapted ROI 4.0, enabling SMEs to evaluate their preparedness for I4.0 adoption and to estimate the return on I4.0 investment. Research limitations/implications As a conceptual study, it requires empirical validation. Limitations include its focus on warehouse internal logistics and specific I4.0 technologies augmented reality (AR), automated guided vehicle, radio-frequency identification. Future research could explore the broader applicability and potential of additional technologies. Practical implications The framework provides SMEs with a practical tool to assess their I4.0 readiness, supporting informed decisions on technology investments and optimizing implementation strategies for economic, operational and environmental benefits. Originality/value This research provides a tailored dashboard to address SMEs' I4.0 adoption challenges. It highlights the strategic deployment of I4.0 to drive operational efficiency and sustainability. It further adapts the ROI 4.0 financial assessment model to the logistics domain, integrating readiness assessment with financial and non-financial impact evaluation, thereby enabling a more holistic and context-sensitive assessment of I4.0 investments.
Calza et al. (Mon,) studied this question.