Data di Pubblicazione:
2019
Abstract:
Purpose: This paper is aimed at investigating how much the Italian manufacturing companies are
ready to be concretely involved in the so-called ‘Industry 4.0’ journey. In particular, this paper
focuses on analyzing the knowledge and adoption levels of specific I4.0 enabling technologies, also
considering how organizations are involved and which are the main benefits and obstacles.
Design/methodology/approach: A descriptive survey has been carried out on a total of 103
respondents related to manufacturing companies of different sizes. Data collected was analyzed in
order to answer five specific research questions.
Findings: The findings from the survey demonstrate that Italian manufacturing companies are in
different positions in their journey towards the I4.0 paradigm, mainly depending on their size and
informatization level. Furthermore, not all the business functions are adequately involved in this
transformation and their awareness about this new paradigm seems quite low because of the
absence of specific managerial roles to guide this revolution. Finally, there are strong differences
concerning both benefits and obstacles related to the adoption of I4.0 paradigm, depending on the
technology adoption level.
Research limitations/implications: Future research should focus on developing case studies about
pilot I4.0 practitioners in order to understand the root cause of successful cases. Both managerial
and practical references should be developed, helping Italian manufacturing enterprises to
consolidate and strengthen their position in global competitive market. Finally, it would be
interesting to carry out the same study in other countries in order to make comparisons and suitable
benchmark analyses.
Originality/value: Despite scholars have debated about the adoption of technologies and the benefits
related to the I4.0 paradigm, to the best of authors’ knowledge, only a few empirical surveys have
been carried until now out on the adoption level of I4.0 principles in the manufacturing sector of a
specific country.
ready to be concretely involved in the so-called ‘Industry 4.0’ journey. In particular, this paper
focuses on analyzing the knowledge and adoption levels of specific I4.0 enabling technologies, also
considering how organizations are involved and which are the main benefits and obstacles.
Design/methodology/approach: A descriptive survey has been carried out on a total of 103
respondents related to manufacturing companies of different sizes. Data collected was analyzed in
order to answer five specific research questions.
Findings: The findings from the survey demonstrate that Italian manufacturing companies are in
different positions in their journey towards the I4.0 paradigm, mainly depending on their size and
informatization level. Furthermore, not all the business functions are adequately involved in this
transformation and their awareness about this new paradigm seems quite low because of the
absence of specific managerial roles to guide this revolution. Finally, there are strong differences
concerning both benefits and obstacles related to the adoption of I4.0 paradigm, depending on the
technology adoption level.
Research limitations/implications: Future research should focus on developing case studies about
pilot I4.0 practitioners in order to understand the root cause of successful cases. Both managerial
and practical references should be developed, helping Italian manufacturing enterprises to
consolidate and strengthen their position in global competitive market. Finally, it would be
interesting to carry out the same study in other countries in order to make comparisons and suitable
benchmark analyses.
Originality/value: Despite scholars have debated about the adoption of technologies and the benefits
related to the I4.0 paradigm, to the best of authors’ knowledge, only a few empirical surveys have
been carried until now out on the adoption level of I4.0 principles in the manufacturing sector of a
specific country.
Tipologia CRIS:
1.1 Articolo in rivista
Keywords:
Industry 4.0, Digitization, Information technology, Technology, Advanced
manufacturing technology, Manufacturing industry
Elenco autori:
Ardolino, Marco; Zheng, Ting; Bacchetti, Andrea; Perona, Marco; Zanardini, Massimo
Link alla scheda completa:
Pubblicato in: