Dominik T. Matt is Full Professor for Intelligent Manufacturing at the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Italy. He holds the Chair for Production Systems and Technologies and heads the research department "Industrial Engineering & Automation (IEA)" at the Faculty of Engineering at the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano. He has authored more than 350 scientific and technical papers and is listed among the most cited professors, as we all among the 2% top scientists for long career-impact in their specific fields.Prof. Johannes Fottner completed Mechanical Engineering at TUM and earned his PhD in 2002. After leadership roles at Swisslog and MIAS Group, he was appointed Professor of Technical Logistics at TUM in 2016. His work focuses on automated logistics systems, material flow, construction processes, and circular economy approaches.Manuel Woschank is Deputy Head at the Chair of Industrial Logistics Montanuniversitaet Leoben, Austria and Adjunct Associate Professor at the Faculty of Business, Management and Economics at the University of Latvia. His research interests include logistics systems engineering, production planning and control, smart logistics/logistics 4.0 concepts and technologies, circular economy and the decarbonization of logistics systems, behavioural decision-making, and engineering education.Emmanuel Francalanza is the Head of the Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering at the University of Malta. His research interests range from digital manufacturing and simulation in manufacturing processes, the application of design methods in product development. He is also associate editor of the Journal of Production and Manufacturing Research.Helmut Zsifkovits is the Chair of Industrial Logistics at the Department of Economics and Business Management at Montanuniversitaet Leoben, Austria. He has professional experience in the automotive industry, logistics consultancy and ICT. His research interests include logistics systems engineering, supply chain strategy and operations management. He has teaching assignments at various universities in Austria, Latvia, Colombia, and Germany and is the author of numerous scientific publications and several books.Patrick Dallasega is Associate Professor of Project Management and Factory and Plant Planning at the Faculty of Science and Technology of the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Italy. His main research interests are in supply chain management, Industry 4.0, lean construction, lean manufacturing and production planning and control in MTO and ETO enterprises.

• Chapter 1: Understanding Implementation Requirements and Barriers to Industry 5.0 for Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs).- Chapter 2: Survey on Challenges and Opportunities for SMEs in the Context of Industry 5.0.- Chapter 3: Integrating Engineering Design Methods for Sustainable Transformation of SMEs.- Chapter 4: Potential Applications of AI in Manufacturing SMEs: A literature review and case studies.- Chapter 5: Bio-Intelligent Manufacturing: Navigating Requirements, Challenges, and Opportunities for SMEs.- Chapter 6: Increasing SMEs' Awareness for Cybersecurity and Data Protection.- Chapter 7: State-of-the-Art and Future Implications of Simulation-Based Optimization of Logistics Systems with a Special Emphasis on Production Planning and Control Strategies in Manufacturing SMEs.- Chapter 8: Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises’ Transformation to Circular Business Models: A Qualitative Analysis in the EU and the USA.- Chapter 9: Industry 5.0 for SMEs: A Comparative Case Study on Resilience Strategies in Sweden and Thailand.- Chapter 10: Exploration of Success Factors and Challenges in the Industry 5.0-based Transition of Logistics Systems in SMEs with a Special Emphasis on Circular Economy Orientation.- Chapter 11: Engineering Workforce of the Future: Competence Barriers and Requirements in Central European and Asian SMEs.- Chapter 12: Amplifying Inclusive Employment in SMEs: A Systematic Approach Towards Supporting Disabled and Socially Disadvantaged Operators.