Analyzing Interdependencies among Influencing Factors in Smart Manufacturing

Abstract

The manufacturing industry has grown increasingly computerized and complex. Such changes are brought about mainly by adopting Industry 4.0 (I4) technologies. I4.0 promises a future of mass-producing highly individualized goods via responsive, autonomous, and cost-effective manufacturing operations. Adopting I4.0 technologies significantly improves a company’s productivity, efficiency, effectiveness, innovation, sustainable management, and sustainability. As is well known, implementing I4.0 technologies results in smart and sustainable manufacturing outputs. Despite their significance, I4.0 technologies have received less attention in the literature, and their influence on MSOs is unknown. This study analyzes the factors influencing manufacturing strategy outputs (MSOs), adopting I4.0 technologies using the fuzzy DEMATEL method. This research utilizes the fuzzy DEMATEL method to address the vagueness and uncertainties inherent in human judgments. Furthermore, this method is utilized to determine the cause-and-effect relationship and analyze the interdependence of factors. It explores the interrelationships among MSO factors from the perspectives of academic and industry experts. Identifying cause-and-effect aspects boosts the market’s competitiveness and prioritizes them. The results demonstrated that cost, quality, and performance are the most influential factors on MSOs.