The Adoption of Industry 4.0 Practices for Small and Medium-Sized Companies: A Systematic Mapping Study

Abstract

Small and medium-sized companies play a very important role in the Brazilian productive sector, covering around 98% of the total number of companies, being responsible for the advancement of the economy and the employability of the urban population. However, Brazilian small and medium-sized companies have little support to survive and develop and are still unaware of the digital transformation promoted by industry 4.0, which often leaves them at a competitive disadvantage. This article systematically maps the literature regarding the adoption of Industry 4.0 practices by small and medium-sized companies. The article analyzes journals, identifies and evaluates studies on Industry 4.0. The research was carried out in some stages, starting with the definition of the research question, bibliographic research, selection of studies and data extraction, analysis and synthesis of results. Finally, procedures are indicated to guide the transformation process of these companies through technological solutions, employee training, integrated management systems and skills development. The study resulted in the selection of nineteen articles, which indicate that, when it comes to Industry 4.0 studies and best practice reports, there is still a lack of relevant publications in the white literature and even in the gray literature.