Is digital transformation equally attractive to all manufacturers? Contextualizing the operational and customer benefits of smart manufacturing

Purpose The implementation of Smart Manufacturing (SM) is deemed a key enabler in the enhancement manufacturing competitiveness and performance. Nevertheless, SM's repercussion on consumer perceptions contextualization performance-enhancement effects remain undetermined have yet to be clarified. This study analyzes effect SM operational customer Moreover, this explores how these relationships change depending firm's geography production (i.e. national/local vs transnational operations) relational arrangement adopted service-oriented transaction-oriented manufacturers). Design/methodology/approach research surveys 351 Spanish firms operating an environment. theoretical framework comprises Multiple-Indicators Multiple-Causes (MIMIC) model tested using Generalized Structural Equations Model. Findings results obtained substantiate positive both performance measures analyzed focused). reveals that while moderates performance, also does so terms Originality/value clearly differentiates benefits business context. In regard, tend gain manufacturers