ANALYSIS OF TEXTILE MANUFACTURING SMES IN KAZAKHSTAN FOR INDUSTRY 4.0

Abstract

Industry 4.0 is a concept which majorly changes the industries, enterprises, the whole way of doing traditional business by transforming existing business models. However, not all developing countries are keeping up with the time, therefore many industries may leave behind. This research aims to study one of the promising but not investigated sectors of Kazakhstan as textile. Textile took the main share (60%) in Kazakhstan’s light industry and is considered one of the well-growing sectors, which can become one of the major contributors to the Kazakhstan economy. The main focus of the study will be oriented to SMEs in that sector, as SMEs present almost 97% of all businesses in the country. The goal of the study is to analyze the current status of industry companies via the developed maturity assessment model. As well, to investigate their digitization state; identify common strengths and weaknesses; draw out the possibilities that digital technologies may bring to the sector, and conclude by recommendations to improve the sector. The findings during this study can be useful for researchers, governmental organizations and policymakers, and all other interested parties.