The Global Smart Industry Readiness Index Initiative: Manufacturing Transformation Insights Report 2022

The 2022 Manufacturing Transformation Insights Report analyzes the digital maturity of approximately 600 manufacturers across 30 countries. It identifies a significant maturity gap between multinational corporations (MNCs) and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), with sectors like Semiconductors and Electronics leading in digitalization. The report emphasizes that 'Best-in-Class' companies prioritize comprehensive integration across process, technology, and organization, specifically focusing on connectivity to enable real-time decision-making. It provides a framework for stakeholders to move from ad-hoc transformation to data-driven strategies through the Official SIRI Assessment (OSA).

• The most digitally mature industry groups in 2022 are Semiconductors, Electronics, and Pharmaceuticals, while Logistics has risen to fifth place due to the growth of e-commerce and the impact of COVID-19.
• There is a clear disparity in digital maturity based on company size; sectors dominated by SMEs are generally less mature than those dominated by multinational corporations (MNCs) due to resource constraints and short-term business pressures.
• Top-performing 'Best-in-Class' companies (the top 10%) are typically one full maturity band ahead of the 'Broad Middle' (middle 80%) and at least two bands ahead of 'Bottom Performers' across all 16 SIRI dimensions.
• Connectivity is a critical differentiator for leading companies, enabling them to leverage data for real-time decision-making, whereas the average manufacturer still lacks connectivity on the shop floor and facility domains.
• While most manufacturers have a strategic focus on digital transformation, few have allocated the necessary resources to develop a formal strategy or game plan.
• MNCs and high-maturity companies tend to adopt longer-term strategic planning horizons, whereas SMEs and those early in their journey focus on shorter-term operational or tactical horizons.
• Productivity and quality-linked KPIs, such as Asset and Equipment Efficiency and Product Quality, remain the primary focus for most manufacturers, though some are shifting toward flexibility and speed-related KPIs to increase resilience.
• SMEs and MNCs show similar maturity levels in Leadership Competency, suggesting that SME executives are aware of Industry 4.0 concepts but are limited by financial or manpower constraints in implementation.

APA

World Economic Forum (2022). The Global Smart Industry Readiness Index Initiative: Manufacturing Transformation Insights Report 2022. https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_The_Global_Smart_Industry_Readiness_Index_Initiative_2022.pdf

Chicago

World Economic Forum. The Global Smart Industry Readiness Index Initiative: Manufacturing Transformation Insights Report 2022. 2022. https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_The_Global_Smart_Industry_Readiness_Index_Initiative_2022.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=World Economic Forum |title=The Global Smart Industry Readiness Index Initiative: Manufacturing Transformation Insights Report 2022 |date=February 2022 |url=https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_The_Global_Smart_Industry_Readiness_Index_Initiative_2022.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{worldeconomicforum2022global, author = {{World Economic Forum}}, title = {{The Global Smart Industry Readiness Index Initiative: Manufacturing Transformation Insights Report 2022}}, institution = {World Economic Forum}, year = {2022}, month = feb, url = {https://www3.weforum.org/docs/WEF_The_Global_Smart_Industry_Readiness_Index_Initiative_2022.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }