Current and future Industry 4.0 capabilities for information and knowledge sharing

Abstract

Humans are indispensable in the manufacturing industry as its complexity increases in an Industry 4.0 context, mainly due to changing customer demands. Managing the challenges of increased complexity can create a competitive advantage for SMEs. Technologies which enable the emerging phenomenon of Industry 4.0 have the possibility to simplify the sharing of information and knowledge among people at work, especially for Operator 4.0. However, few SMEs have actually implemented such technologies for this purpose. Therefore, this paper aims to create an understanding of the current state and challenges which need to be overcome, and further, to provide some insights on future possibilities by identifying the stages of Industry 4.0 development of SMEs with regards to their capabilities. This qualitative interview study focuses on how human-centered production processes are currently supporting assembly and office work. Two Swedish SMEs were studied, where almost all of their operators and management team on site were interviewed individually concerning their views on their current capabilities. The interviews were thematically analyzed with regards to the state-of-the-art research, and results show that the case companies are in some aspects digitized with regards to computerization and connectivity, but have some challenges in making the shared production-related information more visible and transparent, especially on shop-floors where most information and knowledge are shared through word of mouth or with pen and paper. Conclusively, the studied SMEs have started their digitalization journey, but further Industry 4.0 development needs to align with their respective conditions and needs. While Industry 4.0 enabling technologies that support information and knowledge sharing are emerging, organizational development can support the implementation of such technologies, which should be the focus for future research.

Digitalization: An Opportunity for Contributing to Sustainability From Knowledge Creation

“…The importance of data and technologies to improve knowledge management within companies and between companies has been assessed through many articles linking them with performance [28], innovation and development [29], or engagement of the workforce [30]. The need for improved and increased knowledge sharing opportunities due to Industry 4.0 development is also a fact, but also, the other way around, Industry 4.0 can increase knowledge-sharing opportunities through the introduction of technologies that more efficiently support information sharing [31].…”

Industry 4.0 - Current Status and Future Trends

“…The migration of an SME company to Industry 4.0 depends a lot of states in which the company is located (its cultural organization, its information systems, organizational structure, and resources), which is possible to be known through a survey of the SMEs that helps to collect information to know the status of the company and finally focus on Industry 4.0 [16].…”

Factors Affecting the Use of Balanced Scorecard in Measuring Company Performance

“…These challenges include poor professional training and a lack of digital culture, a lack of clear vision, high financial requirements for investment, recruitment, and development of new talents, and a general reluctance of all parties involved to change [21][22][23][24]. Industrial enterprises seek to continuously improve in all areas of business and take advantage of opportunities, whether financial or non-financial in their favor [25,26]. The study by [27] identified the impact of industry 4.0 on business performance.…”