Industry 4.0 in Management Studies: A Systematic Literature Review

Last-mile delivery during COVID-19: A systematic review of parcel locker adoption and consumer experience

As the final link in the supply chain, last-mile delivery is a vital connection between upstream supply chain operations and customers. The recent surge in demand for contactless last-mile delivery services has spurred extensive research on parcel lockers. This study systematically reviews the determinants of consumer adoption and experiences with parcel lockers in Vietnam, during the COVID-19 pandemic while considering insights from other countries. The review was conducted using the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Most of the literature identified reliability, convenience, and security as primary drivers of customer preference for parcel lockers. Additionally, factors such as ease of use, usefulness, service quality, cost, and location were found to predict consumer preference and experience with parcel lockers. This study integrates various theories, including those related to supply chain management, consumer behavior, and technology acceptance, and discusses advanced technologies to provide a comprehensive framework for enhancing smart locker adoption in Vietnam. The empirical findings offer valuable insights for promoting parcel locker adoption, considering co-cultural contexts and technological advancements.

Defining human-centricity in Industry 5.0 and assessing the readiness of ergonomics/human factors communities in UK

There is a lack of a clear and consistent definition of human-centricity in Industry 5.0. This study identified the definition of human-centricity in Industry 5.0 through a systematic literature review and used it to assess the readiness of Ergonomics/Human Factors communities in the UK. The assessment of the communities readiness was conducted by reviewing UK accredited courses and events of three professional bodies; and interviewing practitioners (n = 8). Eleven themes were identified as elements of human-centricity from the thematic analysis of 30 publications. Gaps that had to be addressed to better equip UK practitioners to support the realisation of human-centricity in Industry 5.0 were also identified.

Industry 4.0 impacts on operational and green innovation performances with the mediation of green practices

Purpose

The aim of this study is to investigate how green supply chain management (GSCM) practices mediate the effect of Industry 4.0 technologies on operational and green innovation performances.

Design/methodology/approach

To explore the study, data were collected from 225 different manufacturing industries in Pakistan. Gathered data were used to test the hypotheses using SmartPLS 3 software by using structural equation modeling.

Findings

The findings reveal that operational and green innovation performances are directly affected by the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies and GSCM practices. Furthermore, the GSCM practices positively affect operational and green innovation performances. The study also investigated that the GSCM practices partially mediate the effect of Industry 4.0 on operational and green innovation performances.

Research limitations/implications

This study has some limitations, the data of this study were majorly collected from large enterprises of Pakistani firms and related to the manufacturing sector only. So, there is a huge need for attention toward small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Very few researchers are focusing on SMEs, so future research can be on SMEs. It can be suggested that the relationship between digital technologies and green innovation performance can be tested through a quantitative procedure. Moreover, the effect of GSCM's aspects can be estimated on manageable execution.

Originality/value

Through the mediating relationship of GSCM practices, this research has made a unique contribution by investigating the influence of Industry 4.0 on operational and green innovation performances. To the author's knowledge, no research has been undertaken in this area.

Green innovation behaviour: Impact of industry 4.0 and open innovation

Developing nations have motivated contemporary manufacturing companies to embrace green innovation and focus on smart technology that is sustainable to harness the growing economy and uplift the people. Although, scientific research in this direction has been neglected, and at the same time there are challenges to the attainment while meeting the need of the people. This study aims to investigate the impact of Industry 4.0, open innovation and green innovation performance on green innovation behaviour. To this end, a theoretical model was established. A quantitative research approach was applied in which survey data were utilized to capture 247 responses from different manufacturing companies in Malaysia. The model was tested using SmartPLSver3.0 to measure the structural relationship between variables. The findings indicate that Industry 4.0 and green innovation performance positively impact green innovation behaviour, compared to open innovation which has no impact. The impact of green innovation performance is found to be stronger when compared to Industry 4.0 and open innovation. Likewise, green innovation performance exhibits a substantial mediating impact between the exogenous variables and green innovation behaviour. The policy implication and conclusions are further discussed in the last section of the study.

PETRI NET MODELING OF A PRODUCTION SYSTEM WITH PARALLEL MANUFACTURING PROCESSES

This paper presents the modelling and control of a flexible manufacturing system with integrated Industry 4.0 concepts using Petri nets. The flexible manufacturing system is composed of 7 workstations that ensure the assembly and disassembly of two types of products on two parallel production processes. The two parallel processes, in-line and in-cell production processes, ensure the assembly of the products and disassembly of the defects with a minimal number of stations. wo types of controls, local and centralized, are implemented in the control of production processes. The local control, based on the PLCs of each station, ensures the control of the assembly process at the workstation level. The centralized control ensures the obtaining of desired results at the level of interaction between the stations and also the implementation of the optimization algorithm results. To better understand and develop the control of the system a Petri net model was developed. Based on the properties of the Petri nets was possible to simulate and verify the assembly process and data flow inside the flexible manufacturing system. The developed model also ensures no bottlenecks at the data transmission and processing of the production information from the client to the production hardware.

Industry 4.0: critical investigations and synthesis of key findings

The concept of Industry 4.0 has been one of the most debated and trending topics over the last few years. Progressively, it has attracted the attention of academicians, practitioners, and policymakers worldwide. However, there needs to be more systematic review of research in the current literature that captures the current state of this new paradigm. This study aims to address this gap by conducting a comprehensive review of Industry 4.0 previous studies to identify its technological, organisational, and managerial enablers, as well as its implementation challenges and benefits. A systematic literature review was conducted, in which 244 peer-reviewed journal papers were analysed in the Scopus database until the end of May 2022. This study excluded conference papers, book chapters, and journal papers not written in English. The study indicated that industry 4.0 is still an immature topic, and applying this new paradigm is not a matter of technology only. Organisational and managerial aspects should be considered. Additionally, the transition towards Industry 4.0 is a complex task, many obstacles exist, and manufacturing companies should be aware of these challenges for successfully implementing this new paradigm. The obtained results in this study synthesise recent studies published on Industry 4.0 and provide a comprehensive picture of Industry 4.0 and potential research directions for future research. Also, this study offers significant guidelines for managers interested in implementing Industry 4.0.

The Need for Cybersecurity in Industrial Revolution and Smart Cities

Cities have grown in development and sophistication throughout human history. Smart cities are the current incarnation of this process, with increased complexity and social importance. This complexity has come to involve significant digital components and has thus come to raise the associated cybersecurity concerns. Major security relevant events can cascade into the connected systems making up a smart city, causing significant disruption of function and economic damage. The present paper aims to survey the landscape of scientific publication related to cybersecurity-related issues in relation to smart cities. Relevant papers were selected based on the number of citations and the quality of the publishing journal as a proxy indicator for scientific relevance. Cybersecurity will be shown to be reflected in the selected literature as an extremely relevant concern in the operation of smart cities. Generally, cybersecurity is implemented in actual cities through the concerted application of both mature existing technologies and emerging new approaches.

Assessing Digital Transformation of Cost Accounting Tools in Healthcare

The expansion of digital technologies has significantly changed most economic activities and professions. Digital technologies penetrated managerial accounting and have a vast potential to transform this profession. Implementing emerging digital technologies, such as artificial intelligence, blockchain, the Internet of Things, big data, and cloud computing, can trigger a crucial leap forward, leading to a paradigm-shifting in healthcare organizations' accounting management. The paper's main objective is to investigate the perception of Romanian accountants on implementing digital technologies in healthcare organizations' accounting management. The paper implies a study based on a questionnaire among Romanian accountants who use various digital technologies implemented in traditional and innovative cost accounting tools. Based on structural equation modeling, the results emphasize the prevalence of innovative tools over traditional cost accounting tools improved through digital transformation, digital technologies assuming the most complex and time-consuming tasks. Moreover, the influence of cost accounting tools improved through digital transformation on healthcare organizations' performance is much more robust in the case of innovative tools than in the case of traditional cost accounting tools. The proposed model provides managers in healthcare organizations with information on the most effective methods in the context of digital transformation.

Artificially Intelligent Super Computer Machines and Robotics: Apprehensions and Challenges – A Call for Responsible Innovation Framework

“Industrial revolution 4.0” is a term that is becoming increasingly popular among academics. A number of articles have been carved to emphasize the beneficial aspects of the stated issue under many titles such as cyber-physical systems, internet of things, artificial intelligence, smart manufacturing, digitalization of industrial production, and so on. However, few academics have delved into the negative or dark side of such a profound technological paradigm change, especially the artificially intelligent robotics, creating a large knowledge vacuum. Because of this, little is known about the negative repercussions of artificial intelligence (AI), a key component of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (or IR 4.0). It is an open secret now that AI machines may have serious impacts on human autonomy, fairness, justice, and agency. These unanticipated consequences have resulted in the development of an emerging concept, that is, responsible innovation. The responsible innovation framework binds the firm ethically, morally, and socially to be responsible, environmentally friendly, humanitarian, and business-oriented while developing innovative products. The current study proposes an integrated responsible innovation framework that acts as a science governance mechanism and considers organizations and stakeholders collectively responsible for upcoming technological innovations. This study has suggested several implications for policymakers.

Application of the Maturity Model in Industrial Corporations

Enterprises need to evaluate for themselves whether they are ready for Industry 4.0 to survive and develop in the era of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Therefore, it is necessary to conceptualize or develop an Industry 4.0 readiness and maturity model with basic model dimensions. The present study aimed to review the maturity models available in the literature and to develop and implement a comprehensive maturity model that would eliminate the problems in the existing models. Most maturity models developed lack vital dimensions such as laws, incentives, and corporate culture. While developing the model, AHP and expert opinions were used to determine the dimension weights. The model was applied to 87 businesses in various industries at the Ankara Chamber of Industry Industrial Park in Turkey. The developed model calculates the maturity level of the enterprise for six dimensions. The data on 61 corporations where Industry 4.0 technologies were adopted were analyzed based on demographic variables such as the year of establishment, industry, size, capital, and turnover. These findings demonstrated that Industry 4.0 was introduced recently in Turkey and businesses are required to take further steps to keep up with the global digital transformation. Since the number of industries and corporations that are aware of the Industry 4.0 technologies is limited in Ankara, Turkey, only a few businesses adopted the Industry 4.0 technologies. This developed model will make an important contribution to the literature with its unique dimensions. It would pave the way for further research in various industries in Turkey and other nations where Industry 4.0 investments are new.

Key performance indicator based dynamic decision-making framework for sustainable Industry 4.0 implementation risks evaluation: reference to the Indian manufacturing industries

Global corporate giants are keen to adopt Industry 4.0 (I4.0) owing to its continuous, impactful, and evident benefits. However, implementing I4.0 remains a significant challenge for many organizations, mainly due to the absence of a systematic and comprehensive framework. The risk assessment study is key to the flawless execution of any project is a proven fact. This paper aims to develop a KPIs-based sustainable integrated model to assess and evaluate risks associated with the I4.0 implementation. This research paper has developed the I4.0 risks evaluation model through fifteen expert interventions and an extensive systematic literature review. This research, based on sixteen KPIs evaluates six risks impacting the organization's decision to adopt I4.0. Initially, the Fuzzy Decision-Making Trial and Evaluation Laboratory method is used to map the causal relationship among the KPIs. Further, the additive ratio assessment with interval triangular fuzzy numbers method is used to rank the risks. The study revealed that information technology infrastructure and prediction capabilities are the most crucial prominence and receiver KPIs. Simultaneously, technological and social risks are found to be highly significant in the I4.0 implementation decision-making process. The developed model meticulously supports the manufacturer's, policymaker, and researchers' viewpoint toward I4.0 implementation in the present and post COVID-19 pandemic phases in manufacturing companies. The comprehensive yet simple model developed in this study contributes to the larger ambit of new knowledge and extant literature. The integrated model is exceptionally based on the most prominent risks and a wider range of KPIs that are further analyzed by aptly fitting two fuzzy MCDM techniques, which makes the study special as it perfectly takes care of the uncertainties and vagueness in the decision-making process. Hence, this study is pioneering and unique in context to I4.0 risks prioritization aiming to accelerate I4.0 adoption.

Operationalization of Critical Success Factors to Manage the Industry 4.0 Transformation of Manufacturing SMEs

As an increasing number of manufacturing small and medium enterprises (SMEs) tackle their digital transformation toward Industry 4.0, the need for a methodology to manage this transformation, tailored to their particular context, becomes apparent. Since recent studies have identified critical success factors (CSFs) for the Industry 4.0 transformation of manufacturing SMEs, this paper aims to operationalize these CSFs and propose an Industry 4.0 transformation management methodology. This research is based on an extensive literature review on CSFs for Industry 4.0 transformation, followed by a Delphi–Régnier survey with a panel of Industry 4.0 experts. For each CSF, specific actions to perform at different stages of the Industry 4.0 transformation were defined and validated by experts. Based on a proposed Industry 4.0 transformation process, not all CSFs have to be managed at every phase and step of the transformation process. Each CSF must be supported by different actions positioned within each Industry 4.0 transformation process step. The results of this research are particularly relevant for manufacturing SME managers and consultants managing Industry 4.0 transformation. By performing these actions, they can ensure the achievement of multiple CSFs during their digital transformation projects and, thus, ensure their success. This research combines the academic and professional domains by proposing a way for theoretical findings to be translated into clear actions. The proposed model allows all the actors involved in manufacturing SMEs’ digital transformation projects to understand the actions needed to achieve a successful transformation.

Assessing Artificial Intelligence Technology Acceptance in Managerial Accounting

The increasing expansion of digital technologies has significantly changed most economic activities and professions. As a result of the scientific and technological revolution 4.0, organizational structures and business models have changed, and new ones have emerged. Consequently, the accounting activities that record operations and provide the necessary information to managers for decision making have faced threats, challenges, and opportunities, which have changed and will change the DNA of managerial accounting, determining a reinventing of it. As a result of the evolution of data collection and processing technologies, managerial accounting activities have become increasingly complex, encompassing increasing volumes of data. Resistance to change, organizational culture, lack of trust, and the high price of technology are the most critical barriers that interfere with adopting artificial intelligence technology in managerial accounting. This study aimed to assess the acceptance of artificial intelligence technology among accountants in Romanian organizations in the context of the modernization and digitization of managerial accounting. This research was quantitative, carried out through a survey based on a questionnaire. In total, 396 specialists in managerial accounting from Romanian organizations filled and returned the questionnaire. Using structural equation modeling, we tested the model of accepting artificial intelligence technology in managerial accounting. The results show that implementing artificial intelligence solutions in managerial accounting offers multiple options to managers through innovation and shortening processes, improves the use of accounting information, and is relatively easy to use, given the high degree of automation and customization.

The management of Industry 4.0 technologies and environmental assets for optimal performance of industrial firms in Malaysia

The integration of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) has emerged as an innovative paradigm for industrial firms contemplating environmental and economic issues. This study explicates the role of I4.0 technologies (I4.0TEC) in reinforcing the management of environmental assets (ENVASS) as well as optimizing financial performance (FP). The data in this research was collected from 738 industrial firms in Malaysia between 2009 and 2018. The analyses of ordinary least square statistics (OLS) and structural equation modeling (SEM) delineated three major findings. The individual effect of ENVASS, robotization, and flexibility in production technologies has a marginal impact on sales, exports, and labor productivity indicators. The complementarities of these variables represent a similar effect on the performance indicators. The findings related to gross operating margin elucidate that ENVASS and I4.0TEC have neither individual nor complementarity effects. This was explained by developing a robust model by integrating ENVASS, I4.0TEC, spending and investing in R&D, flexibility in production, and human capital management. Our findings have confirmed that the proposed model offers a functional toolkit for the firms considering optimizing their profitability by leveraging ENVASS and I4.0TEC. This research also contributes to developing an ethical business model for the circular economy.

Energy Oriented Concepts and Other SMART WORLD Trends as Game Changers of Co-Production—Reality or Future?

The aim of the study is to identify, map and assess the maturity and impact level of the specific energy-oriented economy and other SMART management concepts and social, technological, finance (economical), environmental, and communication (S.T.F.E.C.) trends which arose from the dynamic development and spread of the Industry 4.0 revolution on processes of effective competitiveness and the creation of modern enterprises. The article presents data and information obtained thanks to an in-depth review of the literature (extensive desk research), as well as that obtained as part of the conducted CAWI pilot study. The authors aim to search for answers to three specific research questions, concluding that recently, special attention is paid to such issues as co-creation and co-production, energy-oriented and circular economy, eco-energy, and sustainability. The findings of this study clearly show that in the SMART WORLD era, there is a growing interest in cooperation, co-creation, co-production issues, and usage of modern technologies and SMART management concepts typical of the Industry 4.0 era. The main reason for this is that enterprises strive to optimize and maximize their efficiency in the processes of competitiveness creation. Researched data allows us to conclude that openness to social, environmental, and technological trends and issues, with an approach based on sustainable and eco-energy-oriented development, play an increasingly important role. However, the level of their importance, implementation level, and maturity differ depending on the type of organization or industry. For example, service and trade companies more often than production companies use and rate the usefulness of social trends higher (reality = mainstream orientation for S&T companies and a future orientation for production companies), while production companies apply a more balanced approach, showing greater commitment to economic technological, environmental and financial trends (reality = mainstream orientation for production companies and a future orientation for trade and services companies). Given that the study shows and describes preliminary research results (pilot studies), the authors plan to undertake further efforts in the in-depth scientific exploration of the issues concerned, including, which is particularly important, conducting full-scale research.

Digital technologies as enablers of supply chain sustainability in an emerging economy

Vietnam is a country with significant potential for growth as a global centre for manufacturing, as supply chains look to reduce their over-reliance on China in the aftermath of COVID-19. The objective of this study is to better understand the current adoption rates and growth potential of emerging Industry 4.0 (I4.0) digital technologies and ascertain their potential to drive successful future sustainability initiatives amongst Vietnamese supply chain firms. These technologies offer a wide range of sustainability benefits, from a potential to reduce waste production and lower energy consumption to increased opportunities for recycling and industrial symbiosis. This empirical study surveys 223 Vietnamese supply chain experts to learn how digital technologies are being utilized in that region, what levels of future investment are expected, what preparatory measures are being taken to leverage new technologies, and what scope for improved supply chain sustainability exists. The findings indicate a low level of I4.0 digital technology adoption amongst Vietnamese supply chain firms, with the Internet of Things (IoT) currently being the most prevalent (48 percent adoption rate). Drones, Big Data Analytics and IoT are the I4.0 digital technologies expected to have the greatest future impact on Vietnamese supply chains. Whilst I4.0 digital technology adoption is still at this early stage, that may present a greater opportunity for driving future sustainability outcomes, than interrupting and retrofitting solutions to already-established networks and infrastructure.

Perspectives on the Advancement of Industry 4.0 Technologies Applied to Water Pumping Systems: Trends in Building Pumps

The rational use of energy systems is one of the main discussions in sustainability in the 21st century. Water pumping systems are one of the most significant consumers of electricity in urban systems, whether for urban water supply, sewage, or use in vertical buildings. Thus, this work aims to present Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies applied in buildings’ water pumping systems, focusing on energy efficiency, supervision, and control of the pumping system. The work involves four steps: (i) identifying the existing I4.0 technologies and (ii) mapping the possibilities of applying Industry 4.0 technologies in building pumping systems. The study includes the analysis of (16) articles published in journals between 2018 and June 2021 to identify I4.0 technologies cited in the publications. It identified and grouped eighteen (18) technologies based on twenty-two (22) terms observed in the papers. The study classified the identified technologies into three possible applications in a building water pumping system. The applications include: (i) directly applicable, (ii) partially applicable, and (iii) application not yet identified. Therefore, the study presents the advantages of I4.0 technologies developed primarily for the industry sector, also applicable in residential building water pumping systems. These technologies’ benefits include energy efficiency, user control, a reduction from periods of failure of the pumping system (maintenance), water quality, and moving towards Intelligent Pumping or Pumping 4.0.

How do the technological capability and strategic flexibility of an organization impact its successful implementation of Industry 4.0? A qualitative viewpoint

Purpose

Industry 4.0 (I 4.0) consists of numerous digital technologies applied in organizations strategically to add value to the customer. Different organizations have varying degrees of technological capability and strategic flexibility. This paper aims to explore the relationship between technological capability and strategic flexibility on successful implementation of I 4.0.

Design/methodology/approach

A qualitative study using a grounded theory approach is conducted on 34 senior managers from Europe and North America who have implemented I 4.0 participated in this study through a theoretical sampling frame.

Findings

This study finds that technological capability and strategic flexibility have an impact on the successful implementation of I 4.0. The study also finds that different dimensions of technological capability also impact I 4.0. The interactive effect of strategic flexibility and technological capability is also noted. The study also develops a framework for successful implementation of I 4.0.

Practical implications

This study can be used by managers while implementing I 4.0 to devise a strategic roadmap for acquiring technological capability with I 4.0 technologies. Besides, it will help the managers to consider the bidirectional relationship between technological capability and strategic flexibility while formulating I 4.0 strategy for successful implementation of I 4.0 in their organizations.

Originality/value

Previous studies have examined the importance of I 4.0 technologies. However, this study extends the previous works by suggesting how technological capability and strategic flexibility can help in the successful implementation of I 4.0.

A Non-Fungible Token Solution for the Track and Trace of Pharmaceutical Supply Chain

Industry 4.0 is leading society into a new era characterized by smart communications between consumers and enterprises. While entertainment and fashion brands aim to consolidate their identities, increasing consumers’ participation in new, engaging, and immersive experiences, other industry sectors such as food and drugs are called to adhere to stricter regulations to increase the quality assurance of their processes. The pharmaceutical industry is inherently one of the most regulated sectors because the safety, integrity, and conservation along the distribution network are the main pillars for guaranteeing the efficacy of drugs for the general public. Favoured by Industry 4.0 incentives, pharmaceutical serialization has become a must in the last few years and is now in place worldwide. In this paper, a decentralized solution based on non-fungible tokens (NFTs), which can improve the track and trace capability of the standard serialization process, is presented. Non-fungible tokens are minted in the blockchain and inherit all the advantages provided by this technology. As blockchain technology is becoming more and more popular, adoption of track and trace will increase tremendously. Focusing on the pharmaceutical industry’s use of track and trace, this paper presents the concepts and architectural elements necessary to support the non-fungible token solution, culminating in the presentation of a use case with a prototypical application.

The Application of Industry 4.0 Technological Constituents for Sustainable Manufacturing: A Content-Centric Review

Industry 4.0 has been associated with the rise of disruptive intelligence and information technologies. These cutting-edge technologies have the potential to increase productivity while simultaneously having a significant impact on social and environmental sustainability. As a result, manufacturers must evaluate the role of these innovative technologies in sustainable development, as these technologies have the potential to address prevalent sustainability issues. A content-centric study of the implementation of these Industry 4.0 cutting-edge technologies in sustainable manufacturing is currently absent. A systematic literature study was conducted to explain the potential contribution of these novel technologies to the economic, social, and environmental dimensions of manufacturing industries. This study describes how these cutting-edge technologies are used in sustainable manufacturing. The findings of this study are particularly beneficial to practitioners who seek to apply one or more digital technologies to sustainable development.

The Impact of Healthcare 4.0 on the Healthcare Service Quality: A Systematic Literature Review

Healthcare 4.0 is inspired by Industry 4.0 and its application has resulted in a paradigmatic shift in the field of healthcare. However, the impact of this digital revolution in the healthcare system on healthcare service quality is not known. The purpose of this study is to examine the impact of healthcare 4.0 on healthcare service quality. This study used the systematic literature review methodology suggested by Transfield et al. to critically examine 67 articles. The impact of healthcare 4.0 is analyzed in-depth in terms of the interpersonal, technical, environmental, and administrative aspect of healthcare service quality. This study will be useful to hospitals and other stakeholders to understand the impact of healthcare 4.0 on the service quality of health systems. Besides, this study critically analyses the existing literature and identifies research areas in this field and hence will be beneficial to researchers. Though there are few literature reviews in healthcare 4.0, this is the first study to examine the impact of Healthcare 4.0 on healthcare service quality.

Classification of Industry 4.0 for Total Quality Management: A Review

The philosophy of total quality management is based on meeting quality requirements in all processes and meeting customer needs quickly and accurately through the contribution of all employees. This concept means that all the processes in an enterprise, all the technology used, and all the workforce employed represent the total quality of the enterprise, with the necessary controls and corrections made to ensure that the quality is sustainable. In this study, a detailed literature review and classification study regarding Industry 4.0, Industry 4.0 technologies, and quality has been carried out. The place and importance of quality in Industry 4.0 applications have been revealed by this classification study. In previous studies in the literature, the relationship between Industry 4.0 technologies and quality has not been examined. With this classification study, the importance of quality in Industry 4.0 has emerged, and an analysis has been conducted regarding which quality criteria are used and how often.

An Exploratory Case Study on the Metrics and Performance of IoT Investment in Japanese Manufacturing Firms

This study investigates the objectives, approval process, decision criteria, metrics, and performance of the Internet of Things (IoT) system investment in four Japanese manufacturing firms through exploratory case analysis. This study conducted semi-structured interviews and several workshops with practitioners to collect, confirm, supplement, and verify the interviews data and the researcher’s interpretations. The study clarifies the actual status of investment activities in IoT systems and the essential common issues. In addition, this study shows that IoT investments in Japanese companies improve production activities’ efficiency. However, collaboration among divisions and departments other than production is not sufficient. This paper also contributes to constructing an analytical framework for comprehensively clarifying IT system investment decision-making and investment effects. These findings will be one of the reference points of the IoT system investment project and will contribute to the recent digital transformation movement in many manufacturing firms.

Secure Exchange of Digital Metrological Data in a Smart Overhead Crane

Digitalization and the rapid development of IoT systems has posed challenges for metrology because it has been comparatively slow in adapting to the new demands. That is why the digital transformation of metrology has become a key research and development topic all over the world including the development of machine-readable formats for digital SI (D-SI) and digital calibration certificates (DCCs). In this paper, we present a method for using these digital formats for metrological data to enhance the trustworthiness of data and propose how to use digital signatures and distributed ledger technology (DLT) alongside DCCs and D-SI to ensure integrity, authenticity, and non-repudiation of measurement data and DCCs. The implementation of these technologies in industrial applications is demonstrated with a use case of data exchange in a smart overhead crane. The presented system was tested and validated in providing security against data tampering attacks.

Strategies for risk management in adopting Industry 4.0 concept in manufacturing industries

Purpose

This paper aims to concentrate on classifying and analyzing the risks associated with the Industry 4.0 (I4.0) concept in manufacturing industries and developing strategies for managing risks.

Design/methodology/approach

In this research paper, risks categories and their sub-components associated with the I4.0 concept are identified by performing a systematic literature survey of peer-reviewed journal articles and taking inputs from industry experts and academicians. Then, the importance of the identified risks and causal relations among risks are analyzed by using decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) method. Finally, the strategies are developed to mitigate the identified risks.

Findings

From the literature survey, 6 risk categories and their 19 sub-components associated with the I4.0 concept are identified. The DEMATEL method resulted in economic risks and technical risks as the top two risk categories in the I4.0 concept. Ecological risks and legal and political risks are relatively low-ranked risk categories.

Research limitations/implications

Causal relations and ranking among risk categories and their sub-components are obtained by analyzing responses received through questionnaires. There are other methods also available for risk analysis, which are beyond this study.

Practical implications

This research paper will help the industrialists to effectively manage the risks involved in adopting I4.0 concept in manufacturing industries by adopting strategies.

Originality/value

This research paper gives an idea about risks associated with the implementation of the I4.0 concept in manufacturing industries. Also, this paper uses the DEMATEL method for ranking the identified risk categories and their sub-components.

Organizational Culture: The Key to Improving Service Management in Industry 4.0

Industry 4.0 can enhance the operational efficiency of the supply chain, but the current research mainly focuses on analytics and smart things. Many companies integrate their organizations more closely with data by adopting Industry 4.0, but this study found that some companies have changed their leadership, organizational, and customer relationships through the adoption of CPS. Industry 4.0 is a socio-technical system that should be explored in terms of management practices, employee feedback, and the cause-and-effect relationship between them. This study proposes a modeling framework using the Su-field analysis of TRIZ method (Theory of Inventive Problem Solving) and applies the Partial Least Squares Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) method to investigate the relationship between leadership, organizational culture, and service management in the Taiwan industry. The results show that the data analysis, CPS, IoT, and intelligent technologies of Industry 4.0 can facilitate connections within the value chain and increase agility in response to environmental changes. Companies must have a good organizational culture and provide the right incentives to gain the organizational commitment of their employees to implement Industry 4.0.

Are the self-employed at a higher poverty risk: Empirical evidence from Serbian SILC data

Self-employment constitutes a significant share of the workforce in Serbia. Due to the equally high poverty as well as self-employment rates in Serbia, this paper aims to examine whether there is any prevalence between the two. Moreover, it also seeks to investigate what detriments exist within self-employment that keep or lead to poverty among self-employed people. The research is based on both longitudinal and cross-sectional SILC data. The main results indicated higher poverty exposure for solo entrepreneurs and those employed in family enterprises. Businesses run by men, low-skilled individuals, and young entrepreneurs are all at a much higher risk of poverty than other entrepreneurs or employees, especially those represented by women and highly educated individuals. The paper provides significant inputs for (1) managing differences within the active population at risk of income poverty and (2) monitoring outcomes of the self-employed, given that more than half of them are involved in the agricultural sector.

Known Unknowns in an Era of Technological and Viral Disruptions—Implications for Theory, Policy, and Practice

Technology is composed of the words “Techne” and “Logos” that refer to the artistic/creative and the logical/scientific aspects of its dualism. And so inherent this Promethean concept lie the concepts of the Schumpeterian creative destruction and also the promise and potential for humanity’s better tomorrows. We live in an era of artificial intelligence–driven as well as viral disruptions that challenge the mind as well as the body. At the same time, the impact of our pursuit of prosperity at any cost on the environment triggers displaced people floods and viral pandemics undermining the standard of living and more importantly the foundations of trust in institutions and in a better tomorrow feeding populist movements and autocratic trends in democracies as well as emboldening dictators. This work discusses the concepts of Risk Management 5.0, Industry 4.0, Industry 5.0, Society 5.0, Digital Transformation, Blockchain, and the role of AI via the Internet of Things architectures that could enable “smarter as well as more humane solutions to our challenges.”

Industry 4.0 and the small business something behind the technology: A literature review

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are especially vulnerable to technology issues, often because they lack the financial resources or the skills to properly exploit new technologies.This paper presents the results of a study that explores the link between Industry 4.0 and SMEs through a systematic literature review. The results show that this link is dominated by themes that can be grouped into the following categories: "Industrial revolutions", "Technology", "Management", "Operations Management/ Industrial Engineering", "Social issues/ Sustainability", and "Methodology". The study shows the relevance of the topics Management, Social Issues, and Sustainability, which is not then reflected in publications of articles on Industry 4.0 in journals in these areas. Eventually, the establishment of partnerships between research teams in these areas of knowledge and the teams studying Industry 4.0 could mitigate this insufficiency. The themes Social Issues and Sustainability are underrepresented and therefore an effort is needed to develop research on the impacts of these themes on Industry 4.0 and vice versa.

Industry 4.0 in Manufacturing: Benefits, Barriers and Organizational Factors that Influence its Adoption

Industry 4.0 allows the integration of intelligent technologies into manufacturing processes to promote operational benefits, but it is influenced by some barriers. The purpose of this study is to identify the benefits, barriers, and organizational factors that can influence the adoption of Industry 4.0 in manufacturing through a systematic literature review. We found and analyzed 10 benefits, 9 barriers, and 8 organizational factors and we also propose a conceptual framework. The factors analyzed can help create more consistent theoretical models for the adoption of Industry 4.0 in manufacturers and highlight the opportunities and challenges of the implementation.

An Exploratory Bibliometric Analysis of the Birth and Emergence of Industry 5.0

This study provides an exploratory bibliometric analysis of the emerging literature on Industry 5.0, which is a new visionary concept on the future of industry. Industry 5.0 has in recent years begun to attract the interest of both practitioners and academics, but this new field can still be considered embryonic and not well documented. Therefore, this study aims to map the field and provide a preliminary picture of the emergence and status of the scientific literature on Industry 5.0. Bibliometric data covering the period from 2015 to 2021 were extracted from the Scopus database. Bibliometric analyses of overall publication volume and growth trajectory, influential documents, authors, sources and countries are performed. The exploratory analysis provides a preliminary overview of the birth and emergence of this new research area. The results are discussed in relation to theories on the emergence and evolution of new management concepts. The article closes with some speculations about the future trajectory of Industry 5.0.

A Systematic Literature Review of Industry 4.0 Technologies within Medical Device Manufacturing

Ever since the emergence of Industry 4.0 as the synonymous term for the fourth industrial revolution, its applications have been widely discussed and used in many business scenarios. This concept is derived from the advantages of internet and technology, and it describes the efficient synchronicity of humans and computers in smart factories. By leveraging big data analysis, machine learning and robotics, the end-to-end supply chain is optimized in many ways. However, these implementations are more challenging in heavily regulated fields, such as medical device manufacturing, as incorporating new technologies into factories is restricted by the regulations in place. Moreover, the production of medical devices requires an elaborate quality analysis process to assure the best possible outcome to the patient. Therefore, this article reflects on the benefits (features) and limitations (obstacles), in addition to the various smart manufacturing trends that could be implemented within the medical device manufacturing field by conducting a systematic literature review of 104 articles sourced from four digital libraries. Out of the 7 main themes and 270 unique applied technologies, 317 features and 117 unique obstacles were identified. Furthermore, the main findings include an overview of ways in which manufacturing could be improved and optimized within a regulated setting, such as medical device manufacturing.

Conceptualizing Smart Manufacturing Readiness-Maturity Model for Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) in Malaysia

Manufacturing enterprises today are forced to face radical challenges in the disruptive concepts of Smart Manufacturing (SM) and Industry 4.0 to stay competitive. Most Multinational Enterprise (MNEs) have initiated their journey towards adopting SM. As a mainspring of many manufacturing economies, Small and Medium-Enterprise (SMEs) are still struggling to understand the complexity offered in SM, and many of them are not ready to embrace the concept of SM. To overcome this, SMEs first need to assess their readiness and maturity before embarking on an SM journey. The existing available readiness assessment model seems to be suitable for MNEs, and there is still a lack of tailored models that suit SMEs. This paper sought to pinpoint the conceptual framework from the review of the existing readiness-maturity assessment and identify the gap of existing model as well as proposed a tailored model framework that are suitable for SMEs. Ultimately, this model will be used to pursue a comprehensive scholarly study across Malaysia. The proposed model is enhanced with 4M attributes as the dimension and embedded with the characteristic of Industry 4.0 build component to help the SME’s overcome the possible uncertainties in adopting SM concept.

Innovation Management Systems and Standards: A Systematic Literature Review and Guidance for Future Research

In order to establish an innovation culture, a set of organizational procedures and practices called “Innovation Management”, which may differ among companies, should be followed. At the enterprise level, systematic innovation management becomes more complicated. A number of works covering various aspects of this subject have been published. However, a systematic synthesis of all of these contributions is still lacking in management literature. In this review, we aim to analyze and classify the main contributions published on the topic of innovation management systems/standards in management literature, seeking to discover the gaps which still remain in the literature, and to outline future avenues of research in this domain. More than 70 articles in Innovation Management Systems/Standards (IMS/St) studies published in peer-reviewed journals during 2006–2020 are reviewed and analyzed systematically by searching the science databases ScienceDirect, Scopus and Emerald, etc., and using Google Scholar and Mendeley Elsevier to identify related terms. A complete and accurate view of the latest literature on IMS/St is provided, which identifies the main topics developed in the management literature on IMS/St, as well as significant gaps, and demonstrates the low maturity level of the current state of the field. This paper contributes theoretically to the development of literature on IMS/St and provides a clear understanding of the state of the field during the period 2006–2020, shedding light on the research needed in the future in this field of study. From a managerial perspective, it can help companies to better understand the implications of IMS/St, and to harvest the best benefits from the implementation of IMS/St. Our study also answers these three important questions: 1. What are the main topics developed in the management literature on IMS/St so far? 2. Are innovation management standards mature from a practical point of view? 3. What are the main research gaps in management literature, and how could future avenues of research be shaped?

A Survey of Research on Data Analytics-Based Legal Tech

Data analytics provides important tools and methods for processing the data generated during legal services. This paper aims to provide a systematic survey of the research papers on the application of quantitative data analytics algorithms in the legal domain. To this end, relevant research papers were collected and used to analyze topics and trends of research on data analytics-based Legal Tech. The key findings of this paper are as follows. Firstly, the number of research papers about Legal Tech has increased dramatically recently. Secondly, the application of supervised learning techniques to legal judgment data is a very popular approach in this research area. Thirdly, preprocessing legal documents is a very important procedure as many legal documents exist in text form. Fourthly, artificial neural networks and their variations are widely used in research on data analytics-based Legal Tech. Fifthly, data analytics-based Legal Tech is a multidisciplinary research topic related to computer science and social science, etc.

Towards a Conceptual Development of Industry 4.0, Servitisation, and Circular Economy: A Systematic Literature Review

Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies have been highlighted in recent literature as enablers of servitisation. Simultaneously, businesses are advised to implement a circular economy (CE) to bring new opportunities. However, it is pertinent to mention that little attention has been given to assess the role of I4.0 in adopting the CE and servitisation in a fully integrated manner. This research fills this gap by developing a conceptual framework through a systematic literature review of 139 studies investigating the relationship between the I4.0, CE, and servitisation. This study identifies the impact of these variables on a firm’s operational and financial performance (revenue stream, growth, and profitability). Our research findings advocate that adopting I4.0 technologies to the business and manufacturing model enables sustainability, energy and resource efficiency while enhancing performance and offering innovative products through smart services. Thus, firms must systematically adopt I4.0 technologies to support a CE model that creates value through servitisation. This study identifies the research gaps that are unexplored for practitioners and future researchers while providing insight into the role of I4.0 in implementing CE in the servitisation business model.

China: A New Trajectory Prioritizing Rural Rather Than Urban Development?

The adverse effects of rapid urbanization are of global concern. Careful planning for and accommodation of accelerating urbanization and citizenization (i.e., migrants gaining official urban residency) may be the best approach to limit some of the worst impacts. However, we find that another trajectory may be possible: one linked to the rural development plan adopted in the latest Chinese national development strategy. This plan aims to build rural areas as attractive areas for settlement by 2050 rather than to further urbanize with more people in cities. We assess the political motivations and challenges behind this choice to develop rural areas based on a literature review and empirical case analysis. After assessing the rural and urban policy subsystem, we find five socio-political drivers behind China’s rural development strategy, namely ensuring food security, promoting culture and heritage, addressing overcapacity, emphasizing environmental protection and eradicating poverty. To develop rural areas, China needs to effectively resolve three dilemmas: (1) implementing decentralized policies under central supervision; (2) deploying limited resources efficiently to achieve targets; and (3) addressing competing narratives in current policies. Involving more rural community voices, adopting multiple forms of local governance, and identifying and mitigating negative project impacts can be the starting points to manage these dilemmas.

Diagnosis of the Maturity Level of Implementing Industry 4.0 Solutions in Selected Functional Areas of Management of Automotive Companies in Poland

The automotive sector is one of the key branches of the global economy. The automotive industry is also a very important sector of the Polish economy, as it generates over 8% of GDP and accounts for over 20% of the annual export value. Industry 4.0 and the effective use of modern technologies give a chance for its further dynamic development. The implementation of Industry 4.0 solutions in the business processes of automotive companies should not only take place in the area of production or logistics, as it is usually indicated, but also in their other functional areas, such as quality management, human resources management, and innovation management. The purpose of the article is to diagnose the level of maturity in the implementation of Industry 4.0 solutions in selected management areas of automotive companies operating in Poland. Using a maturity assessment tool, the authors assessed the level of maturity in six selected functional areas of an enterprise, such as production and logistics management, quality management, human resources management, social and environmental responsibility, and product innovation management. The authors also formulated conclusions and recommendations concerning actions that should be taken by automotive companies in order to achieve higher maturity levels in the implementation of Industry 4.0 solutions.

Training the Next Industrial Engineers and Managers about Industry 4.0: A Case Study about Challenges and Opportunities in the COVID-19 Era

Training the next generation of industrial engineers and managers is a constant challenge for academia, given the fast changes of industrial technology. The current and predicted development trends in applied technologies affecting industry worldwide as formulated in the Industry 4.0 initiative have clearly emphasized the needs for constantly adapting curricula. The sensible socioeconomic changes generated by the COVID-19 pandemic have induced significant challenges to society in general and industry. Higher education, specifically when dealing with Industry 4.0, must take these new challenges rapidly into account. Modernization of the industrial engineering curriculum combined with its migration to a blended teaching landscape must be updated in real-time with real-world cases. The COVID-19 crisis provides, paradoxically, an opportunity for dealing with the challenges of training industrial engineers to confront a virtual dematerialized work model which has accelerated during and will remain for the foreseeable future after the pandemic. The paper describes the methodology used for adapting, enhancing, and evaluating the learning and teaching experience under the urgent and unexpected challenges to move from face-to-face university courses distant and online teaching. The methodology we describe is built on a process that started before the onset of the pandemic, hence in the paper we start by describing the pre-COVID-19 status in comparison to published initiatives followed by the real time modifications we introduced in the faculty to adapt to the post-COVID-19 teaching/learning era. The focus presented is on Industry 4.0. subjects at the leading edge of the technology changes affecting the industrial engineering and technology management field. The manuscript addresses the flow from system design subjects to implementation areas of the curriculum, including practical examples and the rapid decisions and changes made to encompass the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on content and teaching methods including feedback received from participants.

Integration of Harvester Production Data in German Wood Supply Chains: Legal, Social and Economic Requirements

Digitalization and its associated technology are shaping the world economy and society. Data collection, data exchange, and connection throughout the wood supply chain have become increasingly important. There exist many technologies for the implementation of Industry 4.0 applications in forestry. For example, the integration of harvester production data throughout the wood supply chain seems to have strong optimization potential but it is faced with several challenges due to the high number of stakeholders involved. Therefore, the objective of this article is to analyze the legal, social, and economic conditions surrounding the integration of harvester production data integration in Germany. For analysis of the legal and economic conditions, a narrative literature analysis was performed with special consideration of the relevant German and European legal references. For determination of the social conditions, a qualitative content analysis of 27 expert interviews was performed. Results showed that legal ownership of harvester production data cannot be clearly defined in Germany, but there exist several protection rights against misuse, which can define an ownership-similar data sovereignty. Furthermore, harvester data use can be restricted in the case where personal data are traceable, based on European data protection law. From a social perspective, the stakeholders interviewed in the study had different opinions on data ownership. Stakeholders require specific criteria on the data (interfaces) and other factors for the acceptance of new structures to allow successful harvester data integration. From an economic perspective, harvester production data are tradeable through varying transaction forms but, generally, there is no accepted and valid formula in existence for calculating the value or price of harvester data. Therefore, the authors advise discussing these issues with key stakeholders to negotiate and agree on data ownership and use in order to find a suitable solution to realize optimization potentials in the German wood supply chain.

COVID-19 in Management Studies: A Systematic Literature Review

In 2020, the whole world had to face a pandemic with inevitable profound changes in all aspects of life, from the social to the economic sphere. The profound economic crisis that followed the rise of the pandemic has pushed firms and researchers to question the necessary changes and new challenges for the survival of businesses. In this scenario, the aim of the paper is to analyze and classify the main contributions published on the topic of COVID-19 in managerial literature, seeking to discover the perspective and the gaps and outline future avenues of research. A systematic review of the literature has been performed. The results highlight the orientation of studies in this field and the various links between different aspects that emerged. Limitations and implications complete the research.

A systematic review of machine learning in logistics and supply chain management: current trends and future directions

Purpose

This paper presents a review of the existing state-of-the-art literature on machine learning (ML) in logistics and supply chain management (LSCM) by analyzing the current literature, contemporary concepts, data and gaps and suggesting potential topics for future research.

Design/methodology/approach

A systematic/structured literature review in the subject discipline and a bibliometric analysis were organized. Information regarding industry involvement, geographic location, research design and methods, data analysis techniques, university, affiliation, publishers, authors, year of publications is documented. A wide collection of eight databases from 1994 to 2019 were explored using the keywords “Machine Learning” and “Logistics“, “Transportation” and “Supply Chain” in the title and/or abstract. A total of 110 articles were found, and information on a chain of variables was gathered.

Findings

Over the last few decades, the application of emerging technologies has attracted significant interest all around the world. Analysis of the collected data shows that only nine literature reviews have been published in this area. Further, key findings show that 53.8 per cent of publications were closely clustered on transportation and manufacturing industries and 54.7 per cent were centred on mathematical models and simulations. Neural network is applied in 22 papers as their exclusive algorithms. Finally, the main focuses of the current literature are on prediction and optimization, where detection is contributed by only seven articles.

Research limitations/implications

This review is limited to examining only academic sources available from Scopus, Elsevier, Web of Science, Emerald, JSTOR, SAGE, Springer, Taylor and Francis and Wiley which contain the words “Machine Learning” and “Logistics“, “Transportation” and “Supply Chain” in the title and/or abstract.

Originality/value

This paper provides a systematic insight into research trends in ML in both logistics and the supply chain.

Evaluation of eMaintenance Application Based on the New Version of the EFQM Model

Maintenance management is connected with two opposing aspects, management costs and operational efficiency. With the implementation of new technology within the Industry 4.0 (I4.0) concept, new technical solutions are being created. These solutions (mainly robotic workplaces) must reach a maximum performance rate, production quality, and, of course, high availability. Their operation, during the whole life cycle, is expected to be absolutely safe with minimum maintenance costs. These trends, even though they seem to be optimistic, face a lot of problems. The conducted research follows up on the results of previous research aimed at the initial assessment Slovak industrial company readiness status for the I4.0 conception between 2017 and 2019. The aim of the ongoing research was to assess the readiness status in more than 70 industrial organizations in the selected area for the new concept of maintenance management (eMaintenance) and its relation to machinery integrated safety. The research was carried out by questioning, with the structure of individual questions and closed answers stemmed from the self-evaluation according to the new European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM) Excellence Model (2020). The results of the research were presented to managements of questioned organizations and confirmed the assumptions about a low level of maintenance management transformation to eMaintenance.

Industry 4.0 and Sustainability: A Bibliometric Literature Review

Industry 4.0 (I4.0), Sustainability, and the Circular Economy are recently popularized concepts likely to redefine how economies and industries work. This paper, as the opening piece of this Special Issue, consists of a bibliometric study of 393 articles linking the Issue’s key themes: Industry 4.0, Sustainability and the Circular Economy. Given that this is still a recent area of the literature, and the fact that it already commands a fast-growing number of publications, the provision of an updated overview of the relevant scientific production in the field is a relevant contribution.

A Comparative Study on Supervised Machine Learning Algorithms for Copper Recovery Quality Prediction in a Leaching Process

The copper mining industry is increasingly using artificial intelligence methods to improve copper production processes. Recent studies reveal the use of algorithms, such as Artificial Neural Network, Support Vector Machine, and Random Forest, among others, to develop models for predicting product quality. Other studies compare the predictive models developed with these machine learning algorithms in the mining industry as a whole. However, not many copper mining studies published compare the results of machine learning techniques for copper recovery prediction. This study makes a detailed comparison between three models for predicting copper recovery by leaching, using four datasets resulting from mining operations in Northern Chile. The algorithms used for developing the models were Random Forest, Support Vector Machine, and Artificial Neural Network. To validate these models, four indicators or values of merit were used: accuracy (acc), precision (p), recall (r), and Matthew’s correlation coefficient (mcc). This paper describes the dataset preparation and the refinement of the threshold values used for the predictive variable most influential on the class (the copper recovery). Results show both a precision over 98.50% and also the model with the best behavior between the predicted and the real values. Finally, the obtained models have the following mean values: acc = 0.943, p = 88.47, r = 0.995, and mcc = 0.232. These values are highly competitive when compared with those obtained in similar studies using other approaches in the context.