SMEs in the 4th Industrial Revolution

2019 ◽  
pp. 158-185
Author(s):  
Justine Walter
Keyword(s):  
Labor Markets ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Young Generation ◽  
Industrialized Countries ◽  
Rural Regions ◽  
Fourth Industrial Revolution ◽  
Asian Society ◽  
German Region ◽  
East Asian Society

Apart from the emergence of new technologies, the Fourth Industrial Revolution is characterized by demographic developments that will provoke fundamental changes in the labor markets of many industrialized countries. This situation will especially affect small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that are based in rural regions with rapidly increasing numbers of retirees and an equally rapidly shrinking population of young people. If these companies want to maintain their levels of production in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, they will need to pursue new creative strategies for attracting the best talents. All of this is true for Saxony, a highly industrialized German region with a large percentage of SMEs that is hit hard by declining birth rates and high levels of emigration, and the East Asian society of Taiwan that faces similar challenges. At the same time, many well-educated members of the young generation in both regions feel disrespected, underpaid, and without prospects.

Emerging Industrial Revolution: Symbiosis of Industry 4.0 and Circular Economy: The Role of Universities

2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 505-525 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seeram Ramakrishna ◽  
Alfred Ngowi ◽  
Henk De Jager ◽  
Bankole O. Awuzie
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Circular Economy ◽  
Industry 4.0 ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Fourth Industrial Revolution ◽  
New Jobs

Growing consumerism and population worldwide raises concerns about society’s sustainability aspirations. This has led to calls for concerted efforts to shift from the linear economy to a circular economy (CE), which are gaining momentum globally. CE approaches lead to a zero-waste scenario of economic growth and sustainable development. These approaches are based on semi-scientific and empirical concepts with technologies enabling 3Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle) and 6Rs (reuse, recycle, redesign, remanufacture, reduce, recover). Studies estimate that the transition to a CE would save the world in excess of a trillion dollars annually while creating new jobs, business opportunities and economic growth. The emerging industrial revolution will enhance the symbiotic pursuit of new technologies and CE to transform extant production systems and business models for sustainability. This article examines the trends, availability and readiness of fourth industrial revolution (4IR or industry 4.0) technologies (for example, Internet of Things [IoT], artificial intelligence [AI] and nanotechnology) to support and promote CE transitions within the higher education institutional context. Furthermore, it elucidates the role of universities as living laboratories for experimenting the utility of industry 4.0 technologies in driving the shift towards CE futures. The article concludes that universities should play a pivotal role in engendering CE transitions.

scholarly journals UX in AR-Supported Industrial Human–Robot Collaborative Tasks: A Systematic Review

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (21) ◽  
pp. 10448
Author(s):  
Riccardo Karim Khamaisi ◽  
Elisa Prati ◽  
Margherita Peruzzini ◽  
Roberto Raffaeli ◽  
Marcello Pellicciari
Keyword(s):  
Augmented Reality ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Recent Literature ◽  
Modern Human ◽  
Assessment Procedure ◽  
Functional Requirements ◽  
Collaborative Robotics ◽  
Fourth Industrial Revolution ◽  
Standardization Process

The fourth industrial revolution is promoting the Operator 4.0 paradigm, originating from a renovated attention towards human factors, growingly involved in the design of modern, human-centered processes. New technologies, such as augmented reality or collaborative robotics are thus increasingly studied and progressively applied to solve the modern operators’ needs. Human-centered design approaches can help to identify user’s needs and functional requirements, solving usability issues, or reducing cognitive or physical stress. The paper reviews the recent literature on augmented reality-supported collaborative robotics from a human-centered perspective. To this end, the study analyzed 21 papers selected after a quality assessment procedure and remarks the poor adoption of user-centered approaches and methodologies to drive the development of human-centered augmented reality applications to promote an efficient collaboration between humans and robots. To remedy this deficiency, the paper ultimately proposes a structured framework driven by User eXperience approaches to design augmented reality interfaces by encompassing previous research works. Future developments are discussed, stimulating fruitful reflections and a decisive standardization process.

scholarly journals Internal factors supporting business and technological transformation in the context of Industry 4.0

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. 137-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucia Kohnová ◽  
Ján Papula ◽  
Nikola Salajová
Keyword(s):  
Industry 4.0 ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Employee Education ◽  
Technological Transformation ◽  
Internal Factors ◽  
Fourth Industrial Revolution ◽  
Culture Strategy ◽  
Technology Transformation ◽  
And Training

Radical changes resulting from the Fourth Industrial Revolution strongly affect industrialized European countries. In particular, due to the new technologies that are characteristic of Industry 4.0, it will be essential for companies to make the necessary changes and achieve competitiveness through the implementation of these technologies. In order for companies to be able to make radical changes and innovations, they need to secure all the supporting areas in their organization. This research paper is focused on comparison of companies from Slovakia, Czech Republic, Austria, Germany and Switzerland in the context of readiness for Industry 4.0. This research was part of a research project, while data were collected in the period of 2015–2016. We have analysed companies from selected countries based on 7 areas which are closely interconnected with the business transformation and technology transformation coming from Industry 4.0. The main analysed questions focused on areas such as employee education and training, organizational culture, strategy, or organizational processes, that will be most affected by radical changes in the environment. Research has highlighted the differences between countries as a result of long-standing cultural differences, but at the same time identified the unified influence of the ongoing global debate on the need for technological innovation. With Slovak and Czech companies being below stronger innovators in the maturity of education systems, we strongly advise considering partnering in education which can bring valuable information to businesses that want to take on the wave of innovation.

scholarly journals ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE: NEW CHALLENGES AND PROSPECTS

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 42-48
Author(s):  
Yulia Matyuk
Keyword(s):  
Artificial Intelligence ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Rapid Development ◽  
Modern Society ◽  
Fourth Industrial Revolution ◽  
New Challenges ◽  
And Robotics

The article analyzes the risks and new opportunities that arise before man and modern society in the light of the development of artificial intelligence and robotics in the conditions of the fourth industrial revolution. The rapid development of AI indicates the absence of uniform approaches to assessing the risks and prospects associated with the use of AI. Using PESTEL analysis, the article examines the key areas of interaction between AI and humans, new challenges and prospects that open to humanity in the era of new technologies.

scholarly journals Stemtech model in education 4.0: Designing height measuring instruments in grade 10

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (4) ◽  
pp. 48-58
Author(s):  
Huy Minh Lam ◽  
Hue Thi Dang ◽  
Tien Nhut Le ◽  
Ngan Tuyet Huynh
Keyword(s):  
Stem Education ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Technological Factor ◽  
Measuring Instruments ◽  
Fourth Industrial Revolution ◽  
Science Technology ◽  
Global Standards ◽  
Industrial Age ◽  
And Mathematics

With the development in the fourth industrial revolution, there have been urgent demands for new human resources in the world. The mission set for the education sector is to prepare students with skills and knowledge in line with global standards to keep up with the industrial age 4.0. Among the educational trends that serve the fourth industrial revolution, STEM education has been demonstrating its superiority through various studies. This study applies the STEMTech model, which connects the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics with a central technological factor, to create STEM products in the context of high schools in Vietnam recently. Firstly, the research trains students about STEM education, STEMTech model, and some new technologies; then divides the class into multiple groups of students to conduct a project based on STEMTech model; finally, surveys students. Statistical analysis was used to evaluate STEMTech model, whose results show that STEMTech model can engage students in learning, develop their creativity, and promote other competencies.

scholarly journals World Geopolitical Competition in the Context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution

2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (3) ◽  
pp. 339-351
Author(s):  
Konstantin V. Blokhin
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Global Economy ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Political Stability ◽  
The United States ◽  
Strong Impact ◽  
Western Countries ◽  
Fourth Industrial Revolution ◽  
The World

Article analyzes predictive estimates and concepts presented by the Western intellectual community, regarding prospects for development of new trends in the global economy, caused by the fourth industrial revolution. Author draws on a variety of sources, including reports from US think tanks, works by representatives of global financial and technocratic elite, and works by American intellectuals. Methodological basis of the study is a theory of the world system of I. Wallerstein, which allows to identify dynamic and conflicting lines of interaction between two geopolitical centers of the world - the United States and China. Based on an analysis of current trends, modern experts predict revolutionary changes in modern technologies that can decisively affect socio-political stability, not only in Western countries, but in developing countries as well. Author shows that the new technological structure is changing not only sector structure of the economy, but also has a strong impact on employment. According to American analysts, new technologies can destabilize socio-political stability in any country, especially in countries where cheap labor is a traditional tool. Robotization and automation of production can become a competitive advantage of the United States and Western countries in competition with China. Article notes that Russia is only at the very beginning of technological revolution, behind big five leading countries. Overcoming its lag in the field of AI and robotics requires adoption of comprehensive measures of economic, scientific and political nature. Ignoring realities of technological progress is fraught with increase in threats to national security.

scholarly journals Use of the Blue Ocean Strategy to obtain ports 4.0

2020 ◽  
Vol 23 (1) ◽  
pp. e9466
Author(s):  
Noemí Ortiz-Rey ◽  
Nicoleta González-Cancelas ◽  
Beatriz Molina Serrano ◽  
Francisco Soler-Flores ◽  
Alberto Camarero-Orive
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Quality ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Digital Transformation ◽  
Management Model ◽  
Fourth Industrial Revolution ◽  
Port System ◽  
Fierce Competition ◽  
High Level ◽  
Smart Ports

The fourth industrial revolution is characterized by a high level of digitalization of systems and processes. This revolution has reached the Spanish ports. They have been investing for years in the implementation of new technologies, aimed at promoting sustainability and environmental quality, as well as seeking a more efficient and orderly logistics. Ports are moving towards their digital transformation, which is materialized in the well-known Ports 4.0. These intelligent ports, or Smart Ports, cover a multitude of aspects and variables. Automation, digitalization, technologies that allow interoperability, transparency, decentralization, and customer experience define the context of the application of the concept 'Ports 4.0' to the Spanish logistics-port sector. How to achieve a satisfactory digitization process that allows progress towards Port 4.0 in the Spanish port system is one of the questions being raised recently. The Spanish port world could be represented by a red ocean, since in a very generalist way it can be said that it is a marked described by a fierce competition lacking in differentiation. Therefore, with this proposal, the aim is to take the Spanish port system to a blue ocean, where a suitable strategy and innovation generate leaps in value that make competitors irrelevant because customers compare different products and services. To be able to respond to this, the Blue Ocean Strategy is planted, leaving aside the competition between ports and generating new demand. From the study carried out, it is concluded that Spanish ports still have a long way to go in terms of sustainability. It also concludes that a new management model would mean the innovation in value that is necessary for the process towards ports 4.0.

scholarly journals Features of Digitalization in the Construction Industry as an Important Factor of Its Sustainable Development

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (12) ◽  
pp. 169-174
Author(s):  
K. Voskovykh
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Construction Industry ◽  
Business Models ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Cost Savings ◽  
Resource Scarcity ◽  
Current Level ◽  
Construction Site ◽  
Fourth Industrial Revolution

This article determines that in the context of global digitalization, the competitiveness and sustainable development of companies depend on the speed of mastering new technologies. Assessment of the current level of the construction industry indicates its lag behind other industries. The aim of the study is to analyze the current level of digitalization of construction companies and summarize the constraining factors. The importance of continuous digitization of production and logistics, networking of autonomous smart objects or the use of self-learning systems in order to increase flexibility and optimize processes is emphasized. The main benefit of implementing digital business models is reducing the time it takes to make decisions, implement a project, and bring products to market. The factors holding back digital processes at the construction site are highlighted: a high proportion of manual production, over-regulation, dependence on the public sector and cyclical changes, the scale of the company. New technologies resulting from the fourth industrial revolution promise more efficient processes, greater time and cost savings, greater productivity and quality. The construction industry must catch up with other industries, because it also has to face the challenges of globalization, urbanization, climate change, resource scarcity, demographic change and other events that disrupt its sustainable development. Construction Site 4.0 promises improvements, but the fourth industrial revolution on the construction site is just beginning.

scholarly journals Environmental and Energy Problems of the 4th Industrial Revolution: Legal Aspects

Lex Russica ◽  
2019 ◽  
pp. 53-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
N. G. Zhavoronkova ◽  
Yu. G. Shpakovskiy
Keyword(s):  
Strategic Planning ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Legal Aspects ◽  
Green Technologies ◽  
Fourth Industrial Revolution ◽  
Timely Response ◽  
The Russian Federation ◽  
Energy Law ◽  
Growth Limit

The article considers the most general and most fundamental provisions of the concept of the Fourth Industrial Revolution and its consequences for ecology, energy, law. The author has analyzed the threats and challenges of digitalization processes for ecology and energy. It is shown that be the creation of an adequate environment of green technologies, products and services should provide the timely response to the great challenges of the 4th Industrial Revolution. It is proved that there will be no real progress in environmental security until economic growth, new technologies regardless of the form in which they are expressed and natural constraints and indicators of the “growth limit” of human expansion are connected and properly and necessarily linked to the pace of economic development. The authors have investigated the problems of strategic planning in the sphere of digitalization of ecological and energy spheres. The country has yet to develop common concepts suitable for strategic planning and to give each of these concepts a legal definition. To date, the lack of “coherence” of plans, responsibility and systematization of numerous normative acts (by-laws) on the basis of which federal and regional information resources are functioning is unacceptable. The article is aimed to develop legislation in the field of ecology and energy, development of legal mechanisms for the implementation of the program “Digital Economy of the Russian Federation” as well as improvement of enforcement practices.

scholarly journals Implications of the Fourth Industrial Revolution on sustainable development

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (2) ◽  
pp. 45-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Andrija Popović
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Industry 4.0 ◽  
Sustainable Development Goals ◽  
Industrial Revolution ◽  
New Technologies ◽  
Comprehensive Overview ◽  
The Sustainable Development ◽  
Agenda 2030 ◽  
Fourth Industrial Revolution ◽  
Development Goals

We are at the cusp of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and its implications on the society are far-reaching. The purpose of this paper is to give a comprehensive overview of the implications that Industry 4.0 has on the Sustainable Development Goals from the UN Agenda 2030, based on the review and the analysis of the available literature. The paper is structured to give an insight into the basic concepts of Industry 4.0 and Sustainable Development, then moves through the implications of new technologies on the Sustainable Development Goals, and finally, points out the areas that need to be addressed by policymakers. This paper just tapped into the potentials and issues that the Fourth Industrial Revolution brings while leaving the room for in-depth research of any of the analyzed areas.

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