- TOE Framework (Technology-Organization-Environment)
- A model (Tornatzky & Fleischer, 1990) analyzing how technology, organizational, and environmental factors influence whether a company adopts a new technology.
- Digital Skills Index
- A measure combining software development, hardware development, data science, and machine learning capability within a company's workforce.
- Absorptive Capacity
- A company's ability to recognize, acquire, and apply outside knowledge, traditionally measured through R&D spending.
- AI Adoption
- The process by which a manufacturing company implements artificial intelligence tools into its production or decision-making processes.
- Secondary Research
- Research based on analyzing information that's already been published, rather than collecting new original data.
- Six Sigma / Green Belt / CQE
- Quality-management certifications offered through ASQ and IISE, focused on process improvement and defect reduction.
- Supply Chain Resilience
- The ability of a supply network to withstand and recover from disruptions while staying efficient.