University of Twente Student Theses

Login

The readiness and obstacles while working towards implementing Industry 4.0

Diepeveen, L. (2020) The readiness and obstacles while working towards implementing Industry 4.0.

[img] PDF
836kB
Abstract:Since the introduction of Industry 4.0, the concept is under constant development and that process is going more rapidly and more in-depth ever since. Still, there is no uniform definition of Industry 4.0 and its implementation process. Larger companies have been the first movers in exploring and implementing Industry 4.0 into their production processes. Therefore, this research is developed with the aim of exploring and identifying the opportunities and challenges an SME companies faces when implementing the Industry 4.0 ways of working. This research makes use of a case study method and cross-case analysis between three different SMEs built upon a thorough theoretical framework of the existing literature. In the process, different opportunities and challenges are identified for SMEs: How can SMEs develop their readiness in order to successfully implement Industry 4.0 in their business process? The main challenges found during this research, besides the many ones already mentioned in the existing literature, is the lack of knowledge, which is also reflecting in ‘not seeing the benefits’. This research contributes to the existing literature by providing a better understanding of the ways how SMEs can identify and overcome the challenges and how to make use of the opportunities whilst implementing Industry with the ultimate outcome of success.
Item Type:Essay (Bachelor)
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:85 business administration, organizational science
Programme:International Business Administration BSc (50952)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/81864
Export this item as:BibTeX
EndNote
HTML Citation
Reference Manager

 

Repository Staff Only: item control page