Manufacturing SMEs Embrace Digital and Green Transitions with GREENE 4.0 User Acceptance Model (UAM)
In an era where sustainability and digital innovation are redefining the manufacturing landscape, the GREENE 4.0 project has introduced a cutting-edge tool aimed at helping small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) successfully navigate these transitions. The GREENE 4.0 User Acceptance Model (UAM) is designed to support manufacturing businesses in assessing their digital and green maturity, identifying key areas for improvement, and crafting a roadmap for long-term success.
Comprehensive Framework for Transformation
The UAM stands out as a comprehensive framework, covering an extensive range of business categories and processes. These include core manufacturing operations, as well as vital support functions such as human resources (HR) and finance. By addressing both operational and support systems, the UAM ensures no critical area is overlooked during the transformation process.
Each process within the UAM is evaluated using a four-point maturity scale, ranging from “Basic” to “Advanced.” This scale allows companies to clearly identify where they stand and outline the next steps needed for improvement.
One of the unique features of the UAM is its ability to assess processes from both digital and green perspectives, recognizing the interlinked nature of these transitions.
Detailed Assessment Tools and Feedback
The UAM incorporates a detailed questionnaire and accompanying guidelines, including metrics and support questions, to help businesses thoroughly assess their current practices. After the assessment, a feedback session is integrated to help companies reflect on their scores and plan actionable next steps.
Based on these assessment results, the UAM connects companies with relevant GREENE 4.0 services and tools, supporting the development of concrete action plans for improvement. This targeted support helps manufacturing SMEs gain a clear understanding of their position in their digital and green journey, identify priority areas, and create a roadmap for moving forward.
Insights from Pilot Testing and Case Studies
The output from the UAM includes key findings from pilot tests and case studies, providing practical insights to help manufacturing companies navigate their own digital and green transitions. Real-world examples and quotes from SME leaders are included to make the data relatable and actionable for businesses.
Companies are encouraged to reflect on how the findings relate to their own circumstances, identifying challenges and opportunities for improvement. As the report highlights, “the goal isn’t to transform your business overnight.” Successful transitions often happen incrementally, with each step building on the last, allowing businesses to move forward with a clear understanding of where they are and where they want to go.
A Roadmap to the Future of Manufacturing
The future of manufacturing is both digital and green, and the UAM is a valuable tool for SMEs looking to make this transition. The insights and tools provided by the GREENE 4.0 project offer companies a guide on how to become more competitive, sustainable, and technologically advanced.
Greene 4.0 kindly invites companies to review the Tested User Acceptance Model, where they can find more details on our research methodology, explaining how we conducted the piloting and testing case (study) and analysed the results; our findings, including overall patterns in responses, detailed analysis of digital and green initiatives, and key success factors we identified. Furthermore, the document includes specific recommendations based on our findings, providing concrete steps companies can take to advance their digital and green maturity; and a look at future trends and a call to action.
With a step-by-step approach, manufacturing SMEs can confidently navigate their digital and green transformations, ensuring they are well-positioned to thrive in the new era of manufacturing.