scholarly journals Assessment of the Degree of Implementation of Industry 4.0 Technologies: Case Study of Murcia Region in Southeast Spain

2021 ◽  
Vol 32 (5) ◽  
pp. 422-432
Author(s):  
Antonio Guerrero González ◽  
Daniel Robles Quiñonero ◽  
Samuel Fraile Vega

This work analyzes how the so-called Industry 4.0 technologies are being implemented in companies in the Region of Murcia, in Southeastern Spain. The objective was to determine through questionnaires and face-to-face interviews the current state of 4.0 technologies in Murcia, including additional data of the companies, such as age, number of employees and turnover. Most types of companies in the Region were represented in terms of size, age, turnover, profits and profitability. This study analyzes the relationship between the degree of implementation of 4.0 technologies, investment and training of workers, with companies’ seniority, number of employees, turnover, profits and profitability. The results obtained are significantly higher in companies with higher turnover, profits and profitability, which in turn, have the best levels of investment and training of their workers in 4.0 technologies. The opinions of the companies determined the factors that drove the companies to implement these technologies, the factors perceived as barriers, the opportunities in the current context that encourage the adoption of technologies, as well as the threats that may jeopardize their progress in digital transformation. The conclusions obtained can be taken into account in regional policies that implement appropriate actions to help drive the fourth industrial revolution in the region.

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 ◽  
pp. 137-145 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lucia Kohnová ◽  
Ján Papula ◽  
Nikola Salajová

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.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 42-49
Author(s):  
MARIA-CRINA RADU ◽  
PETRONELA SAVIN ◽  
VALENTIN NEDEFF ◽  
ROXANA GRIGORE

At all stages of life, education and training are essential aspects of human development and key factors for economic growth, jobs, and social cohesion. High quality and inclusive training must be a main goal of our society, especially as we live in a very challenging period, governed by the fourth industrial revolution, that transforms economies, jobs, and the society itself. Because of this, the „Vasile Alecsandri” University of Bacau is involved as a partner, with other universities, in a project with European funding, that facilitates practical training of students at economic partners, to increase the employability of graduates and obtain feedback from employers to correlate the curriculum to the labor market. The current paper aims to present a case study related to the feedback offered by the students who carried-out internships at local economic agents, within the above-mentioned project.


2019 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 305-314
Author(s):  
Jan Kaźmierczak

Abstract In this paper the author tries to present and analyze some results of his researches focused on surveying the expectations and needs as well as troubles and difficulties concerned with confronting small and medium size enterprises (SME’s) with various challenges generated by the fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0). After presenting in the first part of the paper a listing and some subjective discussion of general as well as particular problems of implementing the Industry 4.0 approach in practice of the contemporary industry, in next chapters the adopted assumptions as well as obtained results of the SME’s oriented survey are introduced together with a short presentation and discussion of used methods and tools of research. The cases of Polish SME’s are illustrated by results of investigating a limited group of firms, which fulfil SME criteria and are located and operating in Metropolis GZM (Silesian Voivodeship, Poland). In the last part of the papers the author summarizes obtained results and proposes some next steps of further research.


2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 1263-1283
Author(s):  
Beata Ślusarczyk ◽  
Manuela Tvaronavičienė ◽  
Adnan Ul Haque ◽  
Judit Oláh

This study examines the influence of the fourth industrial revolution on global and national economies by considering the case of Hungary, Canada and Poland. The research compares local logistic business to gain insight about the implementation of Industry 4.0 practices through exploring existing limited knowledge, preparing staff for challenges, implementation barriers, recognizing potentials and implications of Industry 4.0. Using mixed sampling strategies, we gathered data from 180 logistic enterprises (60 each in considered economies) and established the multi-predictors to investigate the relationship between Industry 4.0 technologies and performance of enterprises. Results revealed that all considered predictors are statistically significant in affecting the impact of Industry 4.0 technologies on the performance of enterprises in all three economies. However, the magnitude of impact differs to some extent. The authors propose recommendations for implications of Industry 4.0 technologies.


Author(s):  
Voon Ching Khoo

<p class="0abstract">The Fourth Industrial Revolution started in the year 2011 with the aim to improve productivity similar with that of the previous three industry revolutions that occurred 200 years ago. The revolutions were promoted and implemented to improve the efficiency and speed of productivity. However, Industry 4.0 is likely a supplementation of the existing approach, with the purpose to centralize the processes and factories together to be controlled by a central console. The goal is to procure productivity and manufacturing data to enable data analysis so that the industry’s   performance affected by big data variables, namely, velocity, veracity, variety, value, and visibility are monitored and rectified for continued productivity. This research initiates the development of a theory of Industry 4.0 ROI Relativity from the economic theory of firms, incorporating the pick-and-place test equipment and Industry 4.0 variables. A case study through the experimental research approach (ERA) was conducted by measuring the effects of velocity and veracity accuracy on the good-unit per hour (UPH), profit, and return on investment (ROI) of the pick-and-place test equipment and Industry 4.0. Then, the data were analyzed with Pearson correlation coefficient to determine inter-correlations among the velocity and veracity accuracy with the UPH, profit, and ROI. This research concluded that a significant average and negative correlation exists among velocity, UPH, profit, and ROI. Furthermore, the inter-correlation analysis results show a significant average and positive correlation among veracity accuracy percentage, UPH, profit, and ROI.</p>


2019 ◽  
pp. 134-152
Author(s):  
Hoa Tran Thi Van ◽  
Dong Do Thi

This research investigates Vietnamese students’ awareness of the Fourth Industrial Revolution also called Industry 4.0. The study used a questionnaire survey and in-depth interviews. Research results from 443 Vietnamese students in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City show that students’ awareness of the revolution and capabilities need to improve. Based on data analysis, recommendations are given to education and training institutions in order to create a skilled and qualified human resource. Key recommendations are about promoting students’ awareness of Industry 4.0 through communication, improving students’ IT skills, focusing on English training, improving teachers’ capabilities and enhancing cooperation between training institutions and organizations.


Author(s):  
Neli Nikolova

The report presents analytical information about the state of play of the processes of the Fourth Industrial Revolution in different areas of the Bulgarian economy and industry. Based on a survey conducted in Bulgarian SMEs, the respondents' idea of the challenges and obstacles faced by company guides in its implementation in production, digital education, qualification and training in the course of the work is summarized. Data from a survey on key skills and competences needed to work in digitalization conditions have been released. Recommendations and sample applications have been formulated to ensure a successful symbiosis of Industry 4.0 with Industry 5.0. 


Author(s):  
Klaus Schwab

The rapid pace of technological developments played a key role in the previous industrial revolutions. However, the fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0) and its embedded technology diffusion progress is expected to grow exponentially in terms of technical change and socioeconomic impact. Therefore, coping with such transformation require a holistic approach that encompasses innovative and sustainable system solutions and not just technological ones. In this article, we propose a framework that can facilitate the interaction between technological and social innovation to continuously come up with proactive, and hence timely, sustainable strategies. These strategies can leverage economic rewards, enrich society at large, and protect the environment. The new forthcoming opportunities that will be generated through the next industrial wave are gigantic at all levels. However, the readiness for such revolutionary conversion require coupling the forces of technological innovation and social innovation under the sustainability umbrella.


2020 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 505-525 ◽  
Author(s):  
Seeram Ramakrishna ◽  
Alfred Ngowi ◽  
Henk De Jager ◽  
Bankole O. Awuzie

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.


Author(s):  
Mariam Adepeju Abdulraheem-Mustapha

Laws and policies have important roles to play in advancing the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) through Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) research in Nigeria. STEM education and knowledge brings about development by converging scholars across the world with recent research discoveries. In order for Nigeria to reap the maximum benefits from the 4IR, its legal system must come in line with the principles advanced by the 4IR. It is important to state that the laws which have been enacted before the contemporary era are inadequate and obsolete. Education (STEM education inclusive) which will benefit the most from thenewrevolution would demand new legal instrumentsthat are adequate and effective to cater for the legal and policy demands of the 4IR by bringing forth a more current and inclusive legal protection for all the relevant beneficiaries. Using doctrinal methodology, thispaperexamines4IR and right to education in Nigeria with a view to establishing the relationship between the legal instruments and STEM education with the objective of advancing the agenda of the relevance of all fields of education for the next generation.The paper is divided into six sections and the findings show that, education (STEM education inclusive) is bedeviled with many challenges andthe extant laws are inadequate to solve them.Thus, making the goal of 4IR unachievable in Nigeria. To reach the greatest dexterities in all works of life, the paper concludes by bringing the significance of laws and policies that wouldaccommodate free STEM education in secondary and tertiary school levels in order to answer the call for 4IR. It recommends research collaboration across STEM fields for integrated curriculum and an amendment of the Constitution. It also advocates for gender equality and investing more in STEM education for having a transformative shift in Nigeria for the purpose of achieving 4IR.


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