Smart Manufacturing Technologies Adoption Intention in Manufacturing SMEs: A Proposed Framework

Abstract

This paper aims to propose a framework to examine the antecedent to Smart Manufacturing Technologies (SMT) adoption intention among manufacturing SMEs in Malaysia. SMT is the technological aspect of the smart manufacturing ecosystem across the business value chain to meet fluctuating demands by creating agility in organization and inter-organizational collaboration, allowing for fast and effective localised daily operational decision. The paper explores legitimacy as external motive and performance expectancy as internal motive among SME manufacturers with the intention of SMT adoption. Future researchers could empirically test the proposed model in order to draw conclusions about the explanatory power of the suggested theoretical framework. This conceptual framework uses modified Universal Theory of Acceptance and Use of Technology (UTAUT) with new constructs in order to develop a model that can be more suitable for the intention of SMT adoption assessment within a Malaysian context.