Publications

This paper presents the development of a Digital Maturity Model (DMM) designed to support small and medium-sized manufacturing enterprises (SMEs) in their transition towards Industry 4.0. SMEs face distinct challenges compared to large enterprises, mainly due to financial constraints, limited digital skills and reliance on short-term operational priorities, which necessitate flexible and modular solutions adapted to their context. Existing DMMs show critical limitations, including weak practitioner involvement, lack of multidimensional integration, insufficient consideration of lower maturity levels and absence of actionable strategic outputs. To address these gaps, a six-phase methodology was followed, including qualitative case studies with three Canadian manufacturing SMEs. The final DMM includes five dimensions, 34 subdimensions and 49 indicators covering technological, managerial and organizational aspects. Case studies revealed an overview of digital maturity in SMEs with a strong strategic awareness of digital transformation and early-stage integration of emerging technologies. They also highlighted persistent barriers such as limited digital capabilities, resistance to change and regulatory challenges. The DMM provides practical value as a descriptive tool for assessing maturity and guides both ecosystem positioning and the development of digital transformation roadmaps. It also contributes to the academic field as a replicable and adaptable approach for evaluating digital maturity in SMEs and fostering innovation in manufacturing ecosystems. Future research should focus on developing a scoring methodology and conducting quantitative validation to enhance reliability.

Njah, S., Danjou, C., Armellini, F., Beaudry, C. et Mosconi, E. (2026). A digital maturity model for assessing SMEs in the manufacturing sector. Digital Engineering, 9.