Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Methodology for Assessing Digitalization Readiness and Maturity of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises

  • Conference paper
  • First Online:
Proceedings on 25th International Joint Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management – IJCIEOM (IJCIEOM 2019)

Part of the book series: Lecture Notes on Multidisciplinary Industrial Engineering ((LNMUINEN))

Abstract

Digitalization is a major trend changing both, business and society. As a result, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are also facing the challenges of a digital transformation, which is less an evolutionary process, but rather a change that must be actively shaped. However, SMEs are subject to major uncertainties and substantial challenges with regard to this transformational process. This paper proposes an assessment methodology to support SMEs in creating a holistic view of digital maturity, serving a descriptive and prescriptive purpose. The developed methodologies support SME to align strategies and to identify specific fields of action and projects. In contrast to the widespread standardised online self-assessments, the designed QuickCheck Digitalization (QCD) is based on the objective results of a detailed investigation of the enterprise and its existing processes, carried out by external assessors.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this chapter

Log in via an institution
Chapter
USD 29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
eBook
USD 259.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Available as EPUB and PDF
  • Read on any device
  • Instant download
  • Own it forever
Softcover Book
USD 329.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book
USD 329.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Purchases are for personal use only

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Evans, N.: Mastering Digital Business: How Powerful Combinations of Disruptive Technologies are enabling the Next Wave of Digital Transformation. BSC Learning & Development, Swidon (2017)

    Google Scholar 

  2. Huber, D., Kaiser, T.: Wie das Interne der Dinge neue Geschäftsmodelle ermöglicht. HMD Prax. Wirtschaftsinformatik 52(5), 681–689 (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  3. Pelletier, C., Cloutier, M.: Challenges of digital transformation in SMEs: exploration of IT-related perceptions in a service ecosystem. In: Proceedings of the 52nd Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, pp. 4967–4976. HICSS (2019)

    Google Scholar 

  4. Fersht, P.: Accenture’s Intelligent Operations research: The Future Belongs to Intelligent Operations. HFS Research (2018)

    Google Scholar 

  5. Henriette, E., Mondher, F., Boughzala, I.: The shape of digital transformation: a systematic literature review. In: Proceedings of the 9th Mediterranean Conference on Information Systems, MCIS 2015, pp. 1–12. AIS (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  6. Bischoff, J.: Erschließen der Potenziale der Anwendung von “Industrie 4.0” im Mittelstand. Bundesministerium für Wirtschaft und Energie (BMWi), Mülheim (2015)

    Google Scholar 

  7. Bordia, R., Kronenberg, E., Neely, D.: Innovation’s OrgDNA. Booz Allen, Hamilton (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  8. Bullinger, H.-J., Gommel, M.: Erfolgsfaktor Mitarbeiter Motivation Kreativität – Innovation. Teubner, Stuttgart (1996)

    Google Scholar 

  9. Banjongprasert, J.: An assessment of change-readiness capabilities and service innovation readiness and innovation performance: empirical evidence from MICE venues. Int. J. Econ. Manag. Eng. 11(1), 1–17 (2017)

    Google Scholar 

  10. Urbach, N., Röglinger, M.: Introduction to digitalization cases: how organizations rethink their business for the digital age. In: Urbach, N., Röglinger, M. (eds.) Digitalization Cases: How Organizations Rethink Their Business for the Digital Age, pp. 1–12. Springer, Cham (2019)

    Google Scholar 

  11. Griffiths, M., Heinze, A., Fenton, A., Flechter, G.: Digital business evolution: lessons from a decade of KTP industry projects. In: Proceedings of the UK Academy for Information Systems Conference, pp. 1–9. AIS (2018)

    Google Scholar 

  12. Erol, S., Schuhmacher, A., Sihn, W.: Strategic guidance towards industry 4.0 - a three-stage process model. In: Proceedings of the International Conference on Competitive Manufacturing, COMA 2016, pp. 495–500. Press (2016)

    Google Scholar 

  13. Bley, K., Leyh C., Schäffer, T.: Digitization of German enterprises in the production sector – do they know how “digitized” they are? In: Proceedings of the 22nd Americas Conference on Information Systems, AMCIS 2016, pp. 1–10. Press (2016)

    Google Scholar 

  14. Viharos, Z.: Non-comparative, industry 4.0 readiness evaluation for manufacturing enterprises. In: Proceedings of the 15th IMEKO TC10 Workshop on Technical Diagnostics: Technical Diagnostics in Cyber-Physical Era, pp. 181–187. Press (2017)

    Google Scholar 

  15. Mittal, S., Romero, D., Wuest, T.: Towards a smart manufacturing maturity model for SMEs (SM3E). In: Moon, I., Lee, G., Park, J., Kiritsis, D., von Cieminski, G. (eds.) Advances in Production Management Systems – Smart Manufacturing for Industry 4.0: APMS 2018. IFIP-AICT, vol. 536, pp. 155–163. Springer, Cham (2018)

    Google Scholar 

  16. Moeuf, A.: The industrial management of SMEs in the era of industry 4.0. Int. J. Prod. Res. 56(3), 1118–1136 (2018)

    Google Scholar 

  17. European Commission: Commission Recommendation of 6 May 2003 concerning the definition of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises. https://eur-lex.europa.eu/eli/reco/2003/361/oj. Accessed 01 Apr 2019

  18. Tihinenand, M., Kääriäinen, J.: The Industrial Internet in Finland: On Route to Success? VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, Espoo (2016)

    Google Scholar 

  19. Anderssen, E., Jessen, S.: Project maturity in organizations. Int. J. Proj. Manag. 6(21), 457–461 (2003)

    Google Scholar 

  20. Göklap, E., Sener, U., Eren, P.: Development of an assessment model for industry 4.0: industry 4.0-MM. In: Mas, A., Mesquida, A., O’Connor, R., Rout, T., Dorling, A. (eds.) Software Process Improvement and Capability Determination: SPICE 2017. CCIS, vol. 770, pp. 128–142. Springer, Cham (2017)

    Google Scholar 

  21. Wochinger, T.: Die Güte der Produktionslogistik reifegradorientiert bewerten. ZWV 105(3), 222–226 (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  22. Becker, J., Knackstedt, R., Pööbelbus, J.: Developing maturity models for IT management - a procedure model and its application. Bus. Inf. Syst. Eng. 1(3), 213–222 (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  23. Rögliner, M., Pööpelfuß, J., Becker, J.: Maturity models in business process management. BPMJ 18(2), 328–346 (2012)

    Google Scholar 

  24. Bruin, T., Freeze, R., Rosemann, M.: Understanding the main phases of developing a maturity assessment model. In: Proceedings of the 16th Australasian Conference on Information Systems, ACIS 2005, pp. 1–10. AIS (2005)

    Google Scholar 

  25. Berg, P.: Assessment of quality and maturity level of R&D. Int. J. Prod. Econ. 78(1), 29–35 (2002)

    Google Scholar 

  26. Akdil, K., Ustundag, A., Cevikan, E.: Maturity and readiness model for industry 4.0 strategy. In: Ustundag, A., Cevikcan, E. (eds.) Industry 4.0: Managing the Digital Transformation. SSAM, pp. 61–94. Springer, Cham (2018)

    Google Scholar 

  27. Mittal, S., Khan, M., Romero, D., Wuest, T.: A critical review of smart manufacturing & industry 4.0 maturity models: implications for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). J. Manuf. Syst. 78(1), 29–35 (2018)

    Google Scholar 

  28. De Carolis, A., Macchi, M., Kulvatunyou, B., Brundage, M.P., Terzi, S.: Maturity models and tools for enabling smart manufacturing systems: comparison and reflections for future developments. In: Ríos, J., Bernard, A., Bouras, A., Foufou, S. (eds.) Product Lifecycle Management and the Industry of the Future: PLM 2017. IFIP-AICT, vol. 517, pp. 23–35. Springer, Cham (2017)

    Google Scholar 

  29. Christiansen, S.-K., Gausemeier, J.: Klassifikation von Reifegradmodellen. ZWF 105(4), 51–59 (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  30. Jankowska, B., Götz, M., Główka, C.: Intra-cluster cooperation enhancing SMEs’ competitiveness - the role of cluster organisations in Poland. Invest. Reg. 2017(39), 195–214 (2017)

    Google Scholar 

  31. Stentoft, J., Jensen, K., Philipsen, K., Anders, H.: Drivers and barriers for industry 4.0 readiness and practice: a SME perspective with empirical evidence. In: Proceedings of the 52nd Hawaii International Conference on System Sciences, pp. 5155–5164. HICSS (2019)

    Google Scholar 

  32. Zach, O., Munkvold, B., Olsen, D.: ERP system implementation in SMEs: exploring the influences of the SME context. Enterp. Inf. Syst. 8(2), 309–335 (2014)

    Google Scholar 

  33. Issa, A., Hatiboglu, B., Bildstein, A., Bauernhansl, T.: Industrie 4.0 roadmap: framework for digital transformation based on the concepts of capability maturity and alignment. Procedia CIRP 72(1), 973–978 (2018)

    Google Scholar 

  34. Mittal, S., Khan, M., Romero, D., Wuest, T.: Smart manufacturing: characteristics, technologies and enabling factors. Proc. Inst. Mech. Eng. Part B J. 233(5), 1342–1361 (2017)

    Google Scholar 

  35. Mettler, T., Rohner, P.: Situational maturity models as instrumental artifacts for organizational design. In: Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Design Science Research in Information Systems and Technology, DESRIST 2009, pp. 22-1–22-9. ACM (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  36. Škrinjar, R., Dimovski, V., Škerlavaj, M., Indihar Šternberger, M.: Process maturity and organizational structure as a framework for performance improvements. In: Nilsson, A.G., Gustas, R., Wojtkowski, W., Wojtkowski, W.G., Wrycza, S., Zupančič, J. (eds.) Advances in Information Systems Development: Bridging the Gap between Academia and Industry, pp. 95–106. Springer, Boston (2006)

    Google Scholar 

  37. Stentoft, J., Rajkumar, C., Madsen, E.: Industry 4.0 in Danish Industry: An Empirical Investigation of the Degree of Knowledge, Perceived Relevance and Current Practice. Syddansk Universitet, Odense (2017)

    Google Scholar 

  38. Westermann, T.: Systematik zur Reifegradmodell-basierten Planung von Cyber-Physical Systems des Maschinen-und Anlagenbaus. Dissertationsverlag, Paderborn (2017)

    Google Scholar 

  39. Nolan, R.: Managing the computer resource: a stage hypothesis. Commun. ACM 16(7), 379–405 (1973)

    Google Scholar 

  40. Crosby, P.: Quality is Free – The Art of Making Quality Certain. McGraw-Hill, New York (1979)

    Google Scholar 

  41. Biberoglu, E., Haddad, H.: A survey of industrial experiences with CMM and the teaching of CMM practices. J. Comput. Sci. Coll. 18(2), 143–152 (2002)

    Google Scholar 

  42. Lahrmann, G., Marx, F., Winter, R., Wortmann, F.: Business intelligence maturity models: an overview. In: D’Atri, A., Ferrara, M., George, J.F., Spagnoletti, P. (eds.) Information Technology and Innovation Trends in Organizations: itAIS 2010, pp. 1–12. LUISS University Press (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  43. Steenbergen, M.: The design of focus area maturity models. In: Winter, R., Zhao, J.L., Aier, S. (eds.) Global Perspectives on Design Science Research: DESRIST 2010. LNCS, vol. 6105, pp. 317–332. Springer, Heidelberg (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  44. Maier, A., Moultrie, J., Clarkson, J.P.: Developing maturity grids for assessing organisational capabilities: practitioner guidance. IEEE Trans. Eng. Manag. 59(1), 138–159 (2012)

    Google Scholar 

  45. Henver, A.M., Salvatore, T., Park, J., Ram, S.: Design science in information systems research. MIS Q. 28(1), 75–105 (2004)

    Google Scholar 

  46. Fettke, P.: State-of-the-Art des State-of-the-Art. Eine Untersuchung der Forschungsmethode “Review” innerhalb der Wirtschaftsinformatik. Wirtschaftsinformatik 48(4), 257–266 (2006)

    Google Scholar 

  47. Parida, V., Sjödin, D., Reim, W.: Reviewing literature on digitalization, business model innovation, and sustainable industry: past achievements and future promises. Sustainability 11(2), 390–408 (2019)

    Google Scholar 

  48. Cooper, H.: Research Synthesis and Meta-Analysis: A Step-by-Step Approach. Cooper, Los Angeles (2010)

    Google Scholar 

  49. Meuser, M., Nagel, U.: Das Experteninterview – konzeptionelle Grundlagen und methodische Anlagen. In: Pickel, S., Pickel, G., Lauth, H.J., Jahn, D. (eds.) Methoden der vergleichenden Politik-und Sozialwissenschaft: Neue Entwicklungen und Anwendungen, pp. 465–479. VS Verlag für Sozialwissenschaftenpp, Wiesbaden (2009)

    Google Scholar 

  50. Mayring, P.: Qualitative inhaltsanalyse. In: Flick, U., von Kardoff, E., Keupp, H., von Rosenstiel, L., Wolff, S. (eds.) Handbuch Qualitative Forschung: Grundlagen, Konzepte, Methoden und Anwendungen, pp. 209–212. Beltz – Psychologie Verlags Union, München (1991)

    Google Scholar 

  51. Lenka, S., Parida, V., Wincent, J.: Digitalization capabilities as enablers of value co-creation in servitizing firms. Psychol. Mark. 34(1), 92–100 (2017)

    Google Scholar 

  52. Porter, M., Heppelmann, J.: How smart, connected products are transforming companies. Harv. Bus. Rev. 93(1), 96–111 (2015)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Hochschule Koblenz, Konrad-Zuse-Straße 1, 56075, Koblenz, Germany

    Christoph Szedlak, Bert Leyendecker, Holger Reinemann & Patrick Pötters

Authors
  1. Christoph Szedlak
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Bert Leyendecker
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Holger Reinemann
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Patrick Pötters
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Christoph Szedlak .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia

    Zoran Anisic

  2. Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia

    Bojan Lalic

  3. Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Novi Sad, Serbia

    Danijela Gracanin

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this paper

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this paper

Szedlak, C., Leyendecker, B., Reinemann, H., Pötters, P. (2020). Methodology for Assessing Digitalization Readiness and Maturity of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises. In: Anisic, Z., Lalic, B., Gracanin, D. (eds) Proceedings on 25th International Joint Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management – IJCIEOM. IJCIEOM 2019. Lecture Notes on Multidisciplinary Industrial Engineering. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-43616-2_12

Download citation

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-43616-2_12

  • Published:

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-43615-5

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-43616-2

  • eBook Packages: EngineeringEngineering (R0)

Publish with us

Policies and ethics

Search

Navigation