Bridging the gap: Empowering manufacturing and production small medium enterprises through industrial Internet of Things adoption model

Abstract The industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) is revolutionising manufacturing and production of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by enhancing efficiency and product quality. While developed countries like the USA, UK, Canada, Finland, and Japan have widely adopted IIoT, developing nations such as Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, and Malaysia are still lagging. This study explores IIoT adoption in manufacturing SMEs, emphasising its potential for economic growth despite challenges like budget constraints and skill gaps in developing countries. It presents a novel model based on 17 factors from the TOEI (Technology, Organization, Environment, and Individual) framework to support decision‐makers in integrating IIoT technologies. The model’s reliability and validity are confirmed through rigorous testing and a survey of three SMEs. This proposed model serves as a roadmap for SMEs, breaking down complex processes into manageable steps, and providing SMEs with a structured approach.