Digitalisation of manufacturing operations: The influential role of organisational, social, environmental, and technological impediments

The dynamic market environment has asserted that small and medium enterprises (SMEs), especially in the manufacturing sector, need to reassess their supply chain pursuits and effectively inculcate sustainable initiatives through digitalisation. Twenty-one barriers are identified, and fifteen solution initiatives (SI) have been suggested based on an in-depth literature review and expert opinions from electronic manufacturing SMEs. Further, experts were requested to prioritise the barriers and SIs using the Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (FAHP) and Preference ranking organisation method for enrichment evaluation (PROMETHEE) technique. “High Implementation cost”, “market competition”, and “resistance to adopt” are the barriers that hamper the adoption of emerging technologies related to Industry 4.0 (I4). “Using 6R”, “Conducting training and education for personnel”, and “Working on brand image” are the top-ranked initiatives that can actuate a firm to adopt sustainable practices. The present study will help academicians, practitioners, and policymakers to formulate effective decision strategies to overcome I4 adoption barriers.