Barriers to Artificial Intelligence Adoption in Manufacturing and Industrial Sectors: A Multi-Industry Synthesis and Prioritization Approach

Authors

  • Gholamreza Jamali * Department of Industrial Management, Faculty of Business and Economics, Persian Gulf University, Bushehr, Iran. https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2994-9143
  • Abdullah Junbish Department of Industrial Management, Faculty of Business and Economics, Persian Gulf University, Bushehr, Iran.

https://doi.org/10.48314/ijorai.v2i2.90

Abstract

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping Industry 4.0, offering major opportunities to enhance productivity, improve product quality, and reduce manufacturing costs. Yet its adoption is hindered by technological, organizational, economic, and social/ethical barriers. This study applies a Systematic Literature Review (SLR) (2020–2025), the Technology–Organization–Environment (TOE) framework, and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP) to identify, classify, and prioritize these obstacles. Extending TOE, the environmental dimension is divided into economic and social/ethical categories, yielding four groups. AHP-derived weights rank technological barriers highest (0.466), followed by organizational (0.277), economic (0.161), and social/ethical (0.096). The review screened 52 records (41 English and 11 Persian), with 24 studies meeting the inclusion criteria. From these, 16 sub-barriers were analyzed across the four categories. A TOE-based conceptual model connects each barrier group to targeted interventions and is reinforced by a practical roadmap with measurable KPIs, such as ≥ 95% data completeness, ≥ 12 training hours per employee, ROI payback ≤ 24 months, and 100% privacy compliance. The findings provide managers and policymakers with actionable guidance to focus resources on the most critical impediments and accelerate AI readiness in manufacturing industries.

Keywords:

Artificial intelligence adoption, Manufacturing, TOE framework, AHP, Barrier prioritization, Digital transformation

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Published

2026-06-09

Issue

Vol. 2 No. 2 (2026): International Journal of Operations Research and Artificial Intelligence (IJORAI)

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Articles

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Copyright (c) 2026 International Journal of Operations Research and Artificial Intelligence

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How to Cite

Jamali, G. ., & Junbish, A. . (2026). Barriers to Artificial Intelligence Adoption in Manufacturing and Industrial Sectors: A Multi-Industry Synthesis and Prioritization Approach. International Journal of Operations Research and Artificial Intelligence , 2(2), 67-79. https://doi.org/10.48314/ijorai.v2i2.90

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