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Abstract: This paper takes a historical approach to analyse the Fourth Industrial Revolution, denominated Industry 4.0. Although its technologies are more evolutive than disruptive, their combination and gradual improvement promise significant impacts on the economy and society, thus characterising a veritable revolution. However, the pace of diffusion depends on profit expectation, competition intensity, the regulatory system, financial availability, demand, the labour market, and attitudes towards the new technologies. To enhance understanding of the phenomenon, we describe a framework with three contextual elements of the history of each revolution: technological complementarities, economic institutions, and social structure.
Abstract: The recent and large number of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) publications, along with various levels of maturity in practical implementations, make it prone to myths. The objective of this paper is two-fold. First, we aimed at identifying the myths and facts related to I4.0 implementation. Second, we examined their pervasiveness between organisations with different I4.0 adoption levels. For that, we conducted a multi-step approach in which semi-structured interviews with twelve experts allowed us to raise these myths and facts. Then, data collected through a survey with 115 practitioners enabled the assessment of their pervasiveness. Ten myths and ten facts of I4.0 were consolidated and categorised according to the five attributes of the Diffusion of Innovation Theory (relative advantage, complexity, compatibility, trialability, and observability). Regarding their pervasiveness, we identified that, while the myths appear to be more prominent from the late adopters' perspective (less mature), the facts are more significantly perceived by the early adopters (more mature) of I4.0. This study helps practitioners to better comprehend the intricacies of I4.0, demystifying false ideas or assumptions and reinforcing real facts about its implementation. As many organisations still struggle to grasp the fundamentals of I4.0, our research provides conceptual clarity, setting expectations and mitigating some potential barriers to the digital transformation. Our findings might have multiple uses such as the design of more realistic I4.0 implementation plans that account for the myths as well as for the design of training programs that might dispel the myths before they spread across the industries.
Abstract: Smart manufacturing is being shaped nowadays by two different paradigms: Industry 4.0 proclaims transition to digitalization and automation of processes while emerging Industry 5.0 emphasizes human centricity. This turn can be explained by unprecedented challenges being faced recently by societies, such as, global climate change, pandemics, hybrid and conventional warfare, refugee crises. Sustainable and resilient processes require humans to get back into the loop of organizational decision-making. In this paper, we argue that the most reasonable way to marry the two extremes of automation and value-based human-driven processes is to create an Industry 4.0 + Industry 5.0 hybrid, which inherits the most valuable features of both - efficiency of the Industry 4.0 processes and sustainability of the Industry 5.0 decisions. Digital cognitive clones twinning human decision-making behavior are represented as an enabling technology for the future hybrid and as an accelerator (as well as resilience enabler) of the convergence of the digital and human worlds.
Abstract: Today, blockchain is becoming more popular in academia and industry because it is a distributed, decentralised technology which is changing many industries in terms of security, building trust, etc. A few blockchain applications are banking, insurance, logistics, transportation, etc. Many insurance companies have been thinking about how blockchain could help them be more efficient. There is still a lot of hype about this immutable technology, even though it has not been utilised to its full potential. Insurers have to decide whether or not to use blockchain, just like many other businesses do. This technology keeps a distributed ledger on each blockchain node, making it more secure and transparent. The blockchain network can operate smart contracts and convince others to agree, so criminals cannot make mistakes. On another side, the Internet of Things (IoT) might make a real-time application work faster through its automation. With the integration of blockchain and IoT, there will always be a problem with technology regarding IoT devices and mining the blockchain. This paper gives a real-time view of blockchain—IoT-based applications for Industry 4.0 and Society 5.0. The last few sections discuss essential topics such as open issues, challenges, and research opportunities for future researchers to expand research in blockchain—IoT-based applications.
Abstract: Industry 4.0 is a new paradigm in the manufacturing world and it has deeply changed the Human–machine interaction. This paper focus is on the nature of this interaction, which is made possible thanks to the Internet of Things (IoT), and Cyber-Physical System (CPS). These Industry 4.0 key technologies are studied related to the standard Deming cycle, in order to underline the importance of Human–machine interaction. The Fourth Industrial Revolution involves several changes in the workforce’s key features. In this paper, a new perspective based on the centrality of humans is given in the new Industry era. The importance of the human factor will be deeply studied through the implementation of the ‘Sand Cone Model’. A new framework is proposed in order to explain the quality measures addiction on the workforce quality skills, and how it engraves on improving efficiency and effectiveness of an industrial process.
Abstract: While the rapid proliferation of the Industry 4.0 concept suggests that it brings about major economic change, the concept lacks a socio-economic foundation of change. In this context, the paper raises three questions: First, how sudden does the change brought about by Industry 4.0 occur, and, second, does it make a difference if it is conceived as sudden or not? Using a model of long waves of economic development and the concept of general purpose-technologies it is argued that much of the change brought about by Industry 4.0 is not of a sudden nature but largely represents the roll-out of the prevailing techno-economic paradigm, and that digitalization and artificial intelligence have the potential to trigger of a next long wave. The third question asks for possible implications of the long-wave perspective for adapting to an upcoming paradigm at the regional level. A major conclusion is that policy measures ought to reach beyond traditional innovation and technology-related policies and be implemented in the appropriate phase of a long wave.
Abstract: Industry 4.0 is one of the trending topics among the academicians and practitioners around the world. The pros and cons of Industry 4.0 are significantly important because it will help the organizations to make a sensible decision regarding its implementation. Though there are many studies on Industry 4.0, there is a dearth of academic literature which collates and analyses the Pros and Cons of Industry 4.0. The purpose of this paper is to investigate what are the pros and cons of implementation of Industry 4.0 in organizations from academic perspective. A comprehensive and systematic literature review is conducted on the earlier studies on Industry 4.0. Descriptive, categorical, keyword and thematic analysis are conducted on the final sample of sixty-four articles. This study finds nine pros and seven cons while implementing Industry 4.0 in organizations and also the future research directions is explicated.
Abstract: This paper investigates the spatial distribution of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) considering both region- and technology-specific factors. Focusing on patent data for four technologies at the core of I4.0 between 2000 and 2014, we provide evidence of their uneven distribution across NUTS-2 European regions. Our analysis confirms the role of regional absorptive capacity, cognitive and spatial proximity as drivers of I4.0 knowledge flows, but also indicates important variations among these technologies. Cumulated technological capabilities and spatial proximity exert a stronger effect on the diffusion of robots and 3D printing, whereas big data and the Internet of Things tend to be more spatially distributed.
Abstract: Industry 4.0 and digitization are new transformations for regions and metropolises where technologies are applied but regionally can appear as a continuation of innovative processes where it is developed. The divergent presence of competences creates a selectivity process among regions. There are individual industry-location-nexuses formed out of competences of industries, labour force and research which are complemented by public policies providing support towards such adaptation of innovation and change. Regional societies formed from skilled and educated labour become an important basis for participation in innovation and supply chains. Since smart factories widely can be managed remotely, this also shows a concentration of decision making. Simultaneously, it forms a polycentric de-concentration, indicating some more important locations as central within the networks. These systematic changes continue to deepen over time. While public policies may match innovative opportunities at the appropriate moment, they also contribute to a continuation of uneven development and divergent societal tendencies. Industry 4.0 and digitization indicate a wide and selective change of organization associated with new technologies and innovation. While some regions and metropolises can continue to build both innovative competences and innovative societies based on innovative labour force, others will participate because of their position in supply chains.
Abstract: In Germany, the debate on economic challenges and strategic orientation is strongly focussed on the industrial sector as the backbone and anchor of the German economy. In relation to the digitalization of the manufacturing industry, the term Industry 4.0 is used. The concept focuses primarily on possibilities for optimizing processes of production and product innovation. It thus aims at incremental rather than disruptive developments. Incremental digital development that enables synergies between existing regional strengths and the potentials of Industry 4.0 bears the danger of increasing rather than reducing regional disparities. The expansion of Industry 4.0 can especially be found in strong industrial centres. Many implementation examples are located in the vicinity of university towns, in regions with high population density as well as high expenditure on research and development by large industrial companies. As a result, there are hardly any shifts between the existing industrial centres and the periphery with its weak industrial base. So far, Industry 4.0 seems to have contributed little to reducing existing regional disparities.
Abstract: This paper aims to identify the future Industry 4.0 technology (I4T) centres of knowledge production in Europe. We expect I4Ts to thrive in regions where they can draw on local capabilities in I4T-related technologies. We use patent data to identify I4T-related technologies and find that I4Ts are positioned in the periphery of the knowledge space. The study shows that European regions with a high potential in terms of I4T-related technologies are more likely to diversify successfully in new I4Ts. We find huge differences across regions: some show high, but most regions show weak I4T potential.
Abstract: Industry 4.0 offers massive potential for implementing sustainability, which is a growing concern for global manufacturing industries. This paper investigates the impact of the implementation of Industry 4.0 with specific emphasis on digital transformation on the sustainability dimensions of European manufacturing industries. In doing so, we propose a framework to identify the implications of Industry 4.0 on the reconciliation of the firm’s existing and new dynamic capabilities, competencies, and market requirements to achieve sustainable competitive advantage. Using a multiple case research design, we study six European manufacturing companies, including aerospace manufacturing (AM) and electronic component and systems (ECS) manufacturing. The novelty of our study lies in developing a set of theoretical propositions that reveals interrelations between Industry 4.0, the dynamic capabilities of the firm and distinct dimensions of sustainability. Our findings show that the reconciliation of dynamic capabilities mediates the impact of Industry 4.0 on economic, environmental, and social aspects. The study provides insights to practitioners to strengthen their dynamic capabilities in order to achieve sustainability while implementing Industry 4.0. Moreover, the findings also facilitate investment decisions in Industry 4.0 projects.
Abstract: Technological and scientific advances set out the expanding of new opportunities for intelligent industries. The concept of Industry 4.0 is observed by expert groups as an important industrial configuration approach, however, much is still under discussion, especially in the emerging countries. There is a lack of practical studies and procedures on the implementation of this concept in companies. This paper aims to present intrinsic scientific contributions to Industry 4.0 deployment in companies, so that this concept can be set in motion. A literature review was elaborated in the Scopus, Web of Science and Science Direct databases, using structured protocols to select scientific articles. Only empirical studies were considered – empirical evidences – interview with experts on Industry 4.0 themes, case studies in companies, among others. As result, the barriers were reported, such as lack of financial resources and lack of infrastructure, the challenging impacts, such as relocation of people in the labour market, and benefits, respectively, and finally the basic technological and managerial requirements for Industry 4.0.
Abstract: This paper provides a better understanding of how governance of Industry 4.0 policies can make knowledge services accessible for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The rationale is that when SMEs cannot access specific Industry 4.0 knowledge in the market, then governments and university social researchers can collaborate on developing new territorial governance to make such knowledge accessible. The case study here described spotlights how county development agencies and vocational training centres, with more affordable prices than knowledge-intensive business services (KIBS) and more capillarity than university and technology centres, collaborate with government and social researchers to develop governance of Industry 4.0.
Abstract: Enabled by Industry 4.0, new forms of productive value creation emerge in urban spaces. But how the value creation of new digital urban production (DUP) differs from that of incumbent manufacturing and how it benefits from urban contexts remain unclear. Closing this gap, we study DUP firms in selected cities of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. Results indicate that DUP integrates production and design, and it displays circular problem-based value creation to develop complex production-related solutions. At urban locations, DUP draws particular advantages from proximity to customers, employees and knowledge – conducive context qualities which outweigh the ‘footloosening’ powers of digital tools.
Résumé: La profonde transformation qu’a entamée l’industrie allemande depuis les années 1990 pour rétablir sa compétitivité a aiguisé la conscience que son maintien dépend de sa capacité d’innovation. Dans les débats successifs, l’«Industrie 4.0» est devenu le principal référentiel. Cet article s’interroge sur l’Industrie 4.0 en tant que processus social et politique de transformation d’une utopie technologique en agenda industriel.
Résumé: L’objectif de cet article est de proposer un cadre de réflexion pour saisir comment les technologies de la robotique industrielle avancée et de la fabrication additive conduisent à restructurer la géographie des chaînes de valeur. À partir d’un cadre d’analyse en termes de système coordination, nous détaillons comment ces deux briques technologiques viennent renforcer les forces centrifuges et centripètes déterminant le degré de globalisation des chaînes de valeur. L’analyse de la littérature empirique suggère que la robotique industrielle avancée qui se développe rapidement possède un potentiel ambigu (mais probable) de resserrement des chaînes de valeurs alors que la plus difficilement déployable fabrication additive possède un potentiel de déglobalisation élevé. La conclusion appelle de ses vœux la réalisation de travaux quantitatifs afin de mieux guider les politiques publiques en faveur de l’industrie 4.0.
Abstract: The coming fourth industrial revolution means many inevitable changes in firms’ competition and the challenges they pose to industrial and competition policies. Therefore, to examine how it is going to affect competition and competition policy, this paper reviews the related literature of industrial policy, industrial organization and new trade theory. For this purpose, employing the semi-systematic review method, the report explores the theoretical background of the Industry 4.0 policy carried out by the EU, how it affects its competition policy and what threats it imposes to competition between firms. We have come to conclusions that the fourth industrial revolution might be quite challenging for the sustainability of firm’s competition and the structure of industry and markets. However, the ‘soft’ EU industrial policy adequately addresses this problem by supporting SMEs with innovation and R&D to ensure sustainable competition in the long term.
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