Digital Technology Adoption in UK Manufacturing Firms, 2024

This project investigates the factors that encourage or hinder digital technology adoption among UK manufacturing firms. Through interviews with industry stakeholders, the study found that efficiency, productivity, sustainability, and workforce development are key motivators for adopting digital tools such as predictive maintenance systems, real-time data analytics, and 3D modeling. These technologies enhance decision-making, reduce operational costs, and help firms meet environmental and regulatory demands.

However, many manufacturers—particularly small and medium-sized enterprises—remain hesitant due to implementation risks, uncertain returns, and high costs of advanced systems. Challenges such as fragmented systems, security concerns, and insufficient post-adoption support further impede adoption.<p>This project draws on the classic Bass innovation diffusion theory to develop a model that captures the diffusion processes of digital technologies within the UK manufacturing industry. To attain these objectives, this project conducted in interviews involving manufacturing enterprises, industry experts, and digital technology providers to understand the current barriers and enablers of digital technology adoption in UK manufacturing industry.</p>

本项目旨在探究英国制造业企业采纳数字技术的驱动与阻碍因素。通过对行业利益相关者开展访谈，本研究发现，效率提升、生产力优化、可持续发展以及员工能力培养是企业采纳预测性维护系统（predictive maintenance systems）、实时数据分析（real-time data analytics）与三维建模（3D modeling）等数字工具的核心动因。此类技术可优化决策流程、降低运营成本，并助力企业满足环保与监管要求。

然而，诸多制造企业——尤其是中小企业（small and medium-sized enterprises）——仍因实施风险、收益不确定性以及先进系统的高昂成本而持观望态度。系统碎片化、安全隐患以及采纳后支持不足等难题进一步阻碍了数字技术的落地应用。

本项目借鉴经典的巴斯创新扩散理论（Bass innovation diffusion theory），构建可刻画英国制造业数字技术扩散进程的模型。为达成上述研究目标，本项目对制造企业、行业专家及数字技术提供商开展了访谈，以探明英国制造业数字技术采纳的现存障碍与推动因素。