Abstract
In order to rapidly transform from middle-income to high-income level, our country should produce products suitable for
global competition and have high added value, and the regional SMEs in the manufacturing sector increase their innovative
aspects. In this context, developing management, financing, supply, production, and marketing capabilities with the merits of
digital transformation plays a significant role during the Industry 4.0 transition phase of SMEs. Hence, it is necessary to
increase the awareness of SMEs in the transition process of Industry 4.0. In this study, the approaches of SMEs to the concept
of Industry 4.0 operating in the Sanliurfa region, their awareness levels, and their priorities in the transition process were
examined. By reaching the total of a hundred twenty SMEs operating in the Sanliurfa region, their opinions were received
with fifteen questions: the distribution of SMEs, their approach to the concept of Industry 4.0, the level of awareness of
Industry 4.0, and their priorities in the transition to Industry 4.0. In particular, nine hypotheses regarding Industry 4.0
awareness levels and priorities in the transition process have been described. These hypotheses were tested statistically, and
differences were found on a sectoral basis. The results show that SMEs operating in the Sanliurfa region, especially in the
textile sector, need to improve their technology infrastructure with the support of development agency and KOSGEB to
increase their Industry 4.0 awareness level.