We live in a digital age where companies must keep up with advanced technologies to process real-time data and stay competitive. But how do you make the right choice, especially if you're a small or medium-sized enterprise? A recent study analyzed over 3,400 articles to understand which methodologies are used to select the most suitable technologies for Industry 4.0. The result? Multi-criteria techniques, such as AHP and TOPSIS, are the most popular, combined in hybrid approaches for more effective decisions. The goal is clear: adapt technology choices to the business context to ensure long-term success and sustainability.
The study used the ProKnow-C method to build a bibliographic portfolio, examining articles published between 2005 and 2024. Out of these, 80 were selected for a detailed analysis. The main contributions come from research articles, the ScienceDirect database, the Expert Systems with Applications journal, studies conducted in Turkey, and publications from 2023. Multi-criteria techniques, such as the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) and the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), were employed in 51.25% of the analyzed cases, either individually or in combination. These methods allow for the evaluation of different technological options based on multiple criteria, such as costs, benefits, risks, and strategic alignment. The adoption of flexible and adaptive approaches is crucial to meet the specific needs of each organization and ensure sustainable growth.
