A Study on Knowledge Sharing Practices Prevailing in Smart Manufacturing in India

The Indian manufacturing industry is currently going through the transition towards Smart manufacturing (SM), which is highly important to the industry and its related competitiveness at the global level. As much as technology implementation is a major parameter of interest, human and organizational aspects especially Knowledge Sharing (KS) practices have not been thoroughly studied. KS is the key to using the latest technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and big data analytics. This paper examines the current situation of KS practices in Indian SM organizations. Mixed-method approach was used whereby a systematic literature review was conducted together with a cross-sectional survey of 127 professionals working in different Indian manufacturing companies with adoption of SM principles. The questionnaire was used to determine KS enablers, barriers and perceived organizational performance. Statistical tools that were used to analyze data include descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests. Results show that there is strong positive relationship between formal and informal structured KS mechanisms and perceived operational efficiency. Nevertheless, the research also notes such persistent obstacles as hierarchical organization, lack of standardized processes, and generational resistance to online tools. The study concludes that to ensure that Indian manufacturing maximizes its SM investments, the strategic approach that builds on the knowledge-based culture should be voluntary with the proper technology and leadership being the key.