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The present research identifies and prioritizes the critical success factors (CSFs) for Lean 4.0 (L4.0) implementation in small and medium enterprises (SMEs). L4.0 integrates Lean principles with Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies, for instance wireless networks, Internet of things (IoT), big data, cloud computing (CC), etc., offering significant opportunities to enhance operational efficiency by reducing non-value-adding activities.

This research adopts the “Fuzzy Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory (FDEMATEL)” methodology to examine and assess the connections between CSFs for L4.0 implementation. Data were gathered from SMEs using qualitative and quantitative approaches to ensure comprehensive insights into the critical enablers of L4.0 adoption.

The study identifies Top Management Support and Commitment, Employee Training and Financial Capabilities as the most important CSFs for L4.0 adoption in SMEs. These factors significantly impact the adoption process, providing actionable insights for SME leaders to overcome challenges and optimize implementation strategies.

This study contributes to the growing knowledge of L4.0 by highlighting key CSFs relevant to SMEs, a sector often constrained by resources but crucial for economic development. The findings provide a practical roadmap for SME entrepreneurs to achieve operational excellence and competitiveness through effective L4.0 adoption.

Despite a significant rise in the adoption of online stock trading applications, the research on measuring and enhancing the service experience of customers is scarce. This paper aims to put forth a credible service performance measurement tool, APPQUAL, customized for stock trading applications.

The paper is based on a multi-method research using qualitative and quantitative research. Further, structural equation modeling is used to establish constructs for measuring service performance.

APPQUAL is conceived and built to measure the service performance of stock trading applications. The APPQUAL measures service performance based on five unique dimensions – Safety Accuracy, Performance, Support and Usability associated with the perceived e-service quality of stock trading applications.

This study extends measurement scales for service quality measurement for a relatively new service of online stock trading applications. The scales are adapted as well as built with the help of an iterative process. The methodology is in line with the previous academic research, and the new scales developed can lead to further extensions to scale for different services.

The APPQUAL tool developed as part of this study can be applied to assess service performance and perceived service quality of stock trading applications, which have leap frogged in terms of adoption but have also been met with criticism on poor customer experience. This study shall add to the body of knowledge of stock trading platforms to enhance service experience by targeting the right factors and underlying items. The efficacy and application of the tool have been demonstrated in this paper by applying it to Zerodha and Upstox, the two of the biggest online stock trading applications in India.

There is no research or tool available currently which focuses on the service quality of the new-age platform application of stock trading apps. This is especially glaring due to the large-scale adoption of these applications by Indian customers.