Analysis of the Difficulties of SMEs in Industry 4.0 Applications by Analytical Hierarchy Process and Analytical Network Process

Abstract

The concept of Industry 4.0 is seen as a recent paradigm in the manufacturing sector. The use of new production and management technologies required by the concept of Industry 4.0 is very important for small enterprises in order to keep up with the competition. However, most enterprises look at these requirements in a negative way. This study analyzes the propulsion forces of Industry 4.0 adopted in small and medium enterprises. By analyzing the difficulties in the transition process of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to Industry 4.0, the company contributes to the determination of strategic steps taking these results into consideration. This will facilitate the transition of enterprises to Industry 4.0 and progress can be made towards efficient use of resources. A hierarchical structure was established under the four main criteria of innovation, organization, environmental, and financial aspects, and the relative weight of these criteria and sub-criteria were calculated. The surveys conducted on business managers were evaluated using multi-criteria decision-making methods by the analytic hierarchy process method and the analytic network process. At the same time, the interaction between these criteria was taken into consideration and the criteria were re-evaluated by the analytical network process method. The results of the two methods seem to support each other.