The impact of Industry 4.0 implementation on supply chains
Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management
ISSN: 1741-038X
Article publication date: 6 March 2020
Issue publication date: 13 March 2020
Abstract
Purpose
The study aims to analyse the impact of Industry 4.0 implementation on supply chains and develop an implementation framework by considering potential drivers and barriers for the Industry 4.0 paradigm.
Design/methodology/approach
A critical literature review is performed to explore the key drivers and barriers for Industry 4.0 implementation under four business dimensions: strategic, organisational, technological and legal and ethical. A system dynamics model is later developed to understand the impact of Industry 4.0 implementation on supply chain parameters, by including both the identified driving forces and barriers for this technological transformation. The results of the simulation model are utilised to develop a conceptual model for a successful implementation and acceleration of Industry 4.0 in supply chains.
Findings
Industry 4.0 is predicted to bring new challenges and opportunities for future supply chains. The study discussed several implementation challenges and proposed a framework for an effective adaption and transition of the Industry 4.0 concept into supply chains.
Research limitations/implications
The results of the simulation model are utilised to develop a conceptual model for a successful implementation and acceleration of Industry 4.0 in supply chains.
Practical implications
The study is expected to benefit supply chain managers in understanding the challenges for implementing Industry 4.0 in their network.
Originality/value
Simulation analysis provides examination of Industry 4.0 adoption in terms of its impact on supply chain performance and allows incorporation of both the drivers and barriers of this technological transformation into the analysis. Besides providing an empirical basis for this relationship, a new conceptual framework is proposed for Industry 4.0 implementation in supply chains.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
The authors acknowledge support of Masters student Mr Shashidhara Krishna Iyer Jagannath from Cranfield University for preliminary modelling work. The project has been partially supported by IMPRESS’s grant no- IMPRESS/P898/27/18-19/ICSSR
Citation
Ghadge, A., Er Kara, M., Moradlou, H. and Goswami, M. (2020), "The impact of Industry 4.0 implementation on supply chains", Journal of Manufacturing Technology Management, Vol. 31 No. 4, pp. 669-686. https://doi.org/10.1108/JMTM-10-2019-0368
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited