Abstract

Purpose: This study aims to address the overlooked micro-level aspects within Smart Manufacturing (SM) research, rectifying the misalignment in manufacturing firms' estimation of their technological adoption capabilities. Drawing upon the Social-Technical Systems (STS) theory, this paper utilises innovation capability as a mediating variable, constructing a human-centric organizational model to bridge this research gap. Research design, data and methodology: This study collected data from 233 Chinese manufacturing firms via online questionnaires. Introducing innovation capability as a mediating variable, it investigates the impact of social-technical system dimensions (work design, social subsystems, and technical subsystems) on SM adoption willingness. Smart PLS 4.0 was employed for data analysis, and Structural Equation Modelling (SEM) validated the theoretical model's assumptions. Results: In direct relationships, social subsystems, technical subsystems, and work design positively influence firms' innovation capabilities, which, in turn, positively impact SM adoption. However, innovation capability does not mediate the relationship between technical subsystems and SM adoption. Conclusions: This study focuses on the internal micro-level of organisational employees, constructing a human-centric framework that emphasises the interaction between organisations and technology. The study fills empirical gaps in Smart Manufacturing adoption, providing organisations with a means to examine the integration of employees and the organisational social-technical system.