The Role of Innovation Ecosystems in SMEs’ Industry 4.0 Transformation

The transition to Industry 4.0 presents a significant challenge for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), requiring strategic adaptation and engagement with innovation ecosystems. While previous research highlights the enabling role of these ecosystems in supporting SMEs’ transformation in the context of Industry 4.0, limited empirical evidence exists on how managers perceive and mobilise them in practice. Our study addresses this gap by examining how industrial SMEs’ managers engage with the Industry 4.0 innovation ecosystem, based on 27 semi-directive interviews. Preliminary findings reveal diverse managerial attitudes, ranging from scepticism regarding the ecosystem’s practical utility to long-term collaboration with key actors. The ways in which SMEs’ managers leverage external support for Industry 4.0 implementation also vary, from ad hoc solutions addressing specific needs to comprehensive, multi-level strategic collaborations.