Abstract
Smart manufacturing (SM) has emerged as a viable solution for manufacturing Small, Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs) to remain sustainable and globally competitive amid 4IR and post-COVID-19. However, many SMMEs are not ready for SM and the existing frameworks for SM adoption are not suitable for SMMEs as they do not address context-specific preconditions. The objective of this study was to identify these preconditions for SMME readiness for SM adoption in emerging and low-income countries, and thereby to develop a suitable framework for supporting SMMEs for SM readiness and adoption. A research design and methodology utilizing theory synthesis, theory adaptation and model templates was adopted. The key results identified SM knowledge competence, SM relative advantage and SM compatibility as preconditions for manufacturing SMME readiness for SM adoption. The study also found that self-directed digital learning, business model innovation, entrepreneurial orientation and innovation culture are influential precondition factors.