International Journal of Productivity and Performance Management Pub Date : 2021-04-05 , DOI: 10.1108/ijppm-06-2020-0318 Jan Váně , František Kalvas , Josef Basl
Purpose
This case study of the readiness of engineering companies for Industry 4.0 (I4.0) presents how surveyed key figures manage the implementation of I4.0. The research comprised a census of larger and medium-sized engineering companies in the Pilsen region of the Czech Republic. The selected region is characterised by a long industrial tradition and a high concentration of technical and technology-oriented companies. The survey questionnaire monitors a wide range of topics. In this text, the authors present the results only from selected areas. In particular, the authors examined: (1) the use of I4.0 technologies in individual areas, (2) the level of the digital strategy (DS), (3) factors influencing investments in I4.0 technologies, (4) the impact of I4.0 on the workforce and (5) existing threats to I4.0 implementation. The purpose of this paper is to show how key figures with a real impact on the implementation of I4.0 think and act in practice (as opposed to declarations).
Design/methodology/approach
In the presented article, thanks to the unique data obtained in the form of a census in the selected, traditionally engineering-oriented Pilsen region, and within the highly industrially oriented Czech Republic, the authors explored the state of readiness of companies for implementation of I4.0. The obtained data allowed the authors to present, in a suitably descriptive way, the current level, with respect to the future, of the planned use of I4.0 principles in the surveyed companies. They monitored not only the state of the adoption process (Industry of 4.0 technologies) compared to the declared proclamations but also which phenomena represent key obstacles.
Findings
First, medium-sized companies have barely implemented I4.0, whereas I4.0 is more often implemented in larger companies, especially the so-called DS aspect of I4.0. Furthermore, it appears that larger companies also clearly consider I4.0 more often and see it more significantly as a key success factor. Second, the survey highlighted the fact that customer satisfaction is the determining impetus for the introduction of I4.0. It can be assumed that with an increase in pressure from customers and a decrease in the price of technology, the introduction of I4.0 will increase. The third important finding is that the authors can observe a kind of two-stage flow of innovation in the results. The transformation towards I4.0 is approached by larger companies first, because they are more sensitive to customer satisfaction, are looking for new opportunities, and have greater resources to cover the costly implementation of innovations.
Originality/value
In the presented article, thanks to the unique data obtained in the form of a census in the selected, traditionally engineering-oriented Pilsen region, and within the highly industrially oriented Czech Republic, the authors explored the state of implementation of I4.0. The obtained data allowed the authors to present, in a suitably descriptive way, the current level, with respect to the future, of the planned use of I4.0 principles in the surveyed companies.
中文翻译:
工程公司及其对工业 4.0 的准备
目的
这个关于工程公司为工业 4.0 (I4.0) 做好准备的案例研究展示了被调查的关键人物如何管理 I4.0 的实施。该研究包括对捷克共和国比尔森地区的大中型工程公司的普查。所选地区的特点是拥有悠久的工业传统和高度集中的技术和技术型公司。调查问卷监测范围广泛的主题。在本文中,作者仅展示了选定区域的结果。作者特别研究了:(1) I4.0 技术在各个领域的使用,(2) 数字战略 (DS) 的水平,(3) 影响 I4.0 技术投资的因素,(4) I4.0 对劳动力的影响以及 (5) I4.0 实施的现有威胁。
设计/方法/方法
在本文中,由于在选定的传统工程导向的比尔森地区和高度工业导向的捷克共和国以人口普查的形式获得的独特数据,作者探讨了公司实施 I4 的准备状态.0。获得的数据使作者能够以适当的描述方式展示被调查公司计划使用 I4.0 原则的当前水平和未来水平。与宣布的公告相比,他们不仅监控了采用过程(4.0 技术工业)的状态,而且还监控了哪些现象代表了关键障碍。
发现
首先,中型公司几乎没有实施I4.0,而I4.0在较大的公司中实施的更多,尤其是I4.0的所谓DS方面。此外,似乎较大的公司也更频繁地考虑 I4.0,并将其视为关键成功因素。其次,调查强调了这样一个事实,即客户满意度是引入 I4.0 的决定性动力。可以假设,随着客户压力的增加和技术价格的下降,I4.0的引入将会增加。第三个重要发现是,作者可以在结果中观察到一种两阶段的创新流程。向 I4.0 的转型首先由大公司接洽,因为他们对客户满意度更敏感,正在寻找新的机会,
原创性/价值
在本文中,由于在选定的传统工程导向的比尔森地区和高度工业导向的捷克共和国以人口普查的形式获得的独特数据,作者探索了 I4.0 的实施状态。获得的数据使作者能够以适当的描述方式展示被调查公司计划使用 I4.0 原则的当前水平和未来水平。