Autor: Jan Niklas Dörseln

Procurement 4.0 represents comprehensive information technology networking with suppliers. This enables the automation of the operational procurement process and forms the basis for closer collaboration with strategic suppliers. However, such networking is also accompanied by risks which can sustainably reduce the success of procurement. After an assessment of digitization-induced risks it is shown that a trade-off between relationship and supplier risks takes place, depending in the intensity of the network.

The digitalization is not only the basis of new business models, smart products and innovative services but also a source of uncertainty. This uncertainty about the economic benefits presents a major implementation barrier. To digitize the german production site until 2025 a reduction of risks is mandatory. The developed life cycle model of Industry 4.0 supply chain networks supports a transparent evaluation of risks. Findings show that there exists a gap between perceived and real risks. For a successful transformation, companies need to overcome those barriers.