What is it about?
This research shows how factories can combine modern digital tools (like AI) with smart knowledge sharing to improve manufacturing. By studying a real company, researchers found that when manufacturers effectively integrate these technologies with good knowledge management practices, they see nearly 90% improvements in operational efficiency, product customization, and environmental sustainability. The study identified which technology combinations work best together and provides a practical roadmap for manufacturers. This matters because it helps factories become more competitive while creating better, more customized products for customers and reducing their environmental footprint. The findings are especially valuable for manufacturers in developing regions looking to adopt smart manufacturing practices without massive investments, showing how digital tools can make manufacturing more efficient, responsive, and sustainable for everyone.
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Why is it important?
Our research uniquely demonstrates how manufacturers in developing regions can achieve dramatic performance gains through strategic integration of Industry 4.0 technologies with knowledge management systems. Unlike previous studies focused on advanced economies, we provide a practical roadmap for organizations with limited resources, showing that the right technology pairings (cloud, IoT, AI) coupled with strong knowledge sharing practices can transform manufacturing. This is timely as global manufacturers face intense competition and sustainability pressures. Our findings help companies overcome the digital divide by making smart manufacturing accessible without massive investments, while delivering environmental benefits that align with global sustainability goals.
Perspectives
This research holds special significance for me as it validates what I have observed firsthand in emerging manufacturing contexts. Having worked with manufacturers in developing regions, I have seen the frustration when digital transformation models fail to account for local constraints. Our case study proves that smart manufacturing is not just for companies with unlimited budgets, by strategically pairing technologies like cloud computing with knowledge management systems, even resource-constrained manufacturers can achieve remarkable gains in efficiency and sustainability. I am particularly proud that this work gives voice to manufacturers in the Global South, who've long been overlooked in Industry 4.0 literature. I hope this research encourages more manufacturers in developing regions to start their smart manufacturing journey, knowing they do not need to implement every technology at once to see meaningful results.
Mr. Kamyab Karimi
Kharazmi University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: Optimizing knowledge management integrated with Industry 4.0: a comprehensive case study of smart manufacturing transformation, VINE Journal of Information and Knowledge Management Systems, November 2025, Emerald,
DOI: 10.1108/vjikms-10-2024-0388.
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