Abstract
In the face of increasing volatility and technological disruption, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) must balance incremental improvements and radical innovations, a challenge known as ambidextrous Manufacturing Innovation Management (MIM). Learning and Innovation Factories (LIFs) play a crucial role in supporting this innovation process. However, traditional LIFs often require significant physical infrastructure and resources, which many SMEs lack. The MIM4SME project aims to develop, implement, and validate a virtual and remote LIF -integrated MIM framework that enables SMEs to efficiently balance incremental improvements and radical innovations. This paper outlines the state of the art, theoretical foundations, and procedural steps necessary for developing this framework.