Purpose Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies are driving significant changes in business performance, depending on the specific technology, the developed business model and the context. Therefore, this study aims to assess the effects of I4.0 technologies, grouped into base and front-end technologies, on small and medium-sized enterprise (SMEs) performance. It examines differences across business-to-business (B2B), business-to-consumer (B2C) and business-to-government (B2G) business models, using Chile as a case study of an emerging economy with fewer existing studies. Design/methodology/approach A sample of 515 SMEs in Chile was selected, and a survey was conducted to assess the use of I4.0 technologies, which were categorized into base and front-end technologies through factorial analysis. Then, four multiple linear regression models were developed to distinguish between enterprises with B2B, B2C and B2G main business models. Findings The impact of I4.0 on SMEs performance varies depending on their primary business model. Specifically, in B2B, foundational technologies have a significant effect; in B2C, front-end technologies are influential; and in B2G, technologies do not impact performance. This shows that in emerging economies, the effects of I4.0 on business performance depend on the type of technology used and the business model adopted. Research limitations/implications The development of public policies and organizational strategies to promote I4.0 must account for the varied impact of base and front-end technologies and the different business models of SMEs in emerging economies. Practical implications The findings provide a foundation for developing promotional policies and organizational strategies to accelerate I4.0 adoption in SMEs in emerging economies, where adoption of these technologies is still lagging. Social implications This study supports the growth of SMEs that create many jobs and help emerging economies develop. Originality/value This study enhances the understanding of how I4.0 technologies affect the performance of SMEs in emerging economies by clearly differentiating among B2B, B2C and B2G business models. While previous research has often seen SMEs as a single group, the findings show that the impact of I4.0 is far from uniform.
Geldés et al. (Wed,) studied this question.