Improving the Opportunities to Implement Industry 4.0 Through Absorptive Capacity: A Multi Mediator Model Evaluation in the Manufacturing Industry of Mexico

Knowledge absorptive capacity (ACAP) has been recognized as a driving force for ICT-driven digital transformation; however, questions remain about how to maximize opportunities for implementing Industry 4.0 (I4.0) while considering the role of ACAP. Our primary objectives are to analyze how ACAP influences I4.0 opportunities (strategic, operational, and environmental/social) and to examine the mediating role of these opportunities in the connection between ACAP and I4.0 implementation. This empirical study, employing a predictive type, analyzed data from 200 manufacturing SMEs in Guanajuato, Mexico, using Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) via SmartPLS4, with a hierarchical component model Type I. The findings underscore that ACAP significantly enhances the potential for successful I4.0 implementation. Furthermore, the study highlights the critical importance of a strategic approach to leveraging I4.0 opportunities. Interestingly, the environmental and social opportunities showed limited influence on I4.0 adoption, with no evidence of their mediating role. This research contributes to illuminating the complex interplay between ACAP, I4.0 opportunities, and their collective contribution to the successful implementation of Industry 4.0 in Mexican SMEs. Finally, the study offers actionable insights for industrial practitioners and contributes to methodological advancements in PLS-SEM analysis.