Design

Robot-Based Assembly Automation in Mid-Sized Companies

Robot-Based Assembly Automation in Mid-Sized Companies

Obstacles, drivers and implications
Aaron Zinßer, Fabian Diefenbach ORCID Icon, Arik Lämmle ORCID Icon
Production automation is well established in large companies for high volume products. But robot-based assembly automation in mid-sized companies is still in its infancy. This study uses results from 19 expert interviews and a survey to identify obstacles to and drivers of automation in this field. Among the obstacles is the low flexibility of the robotic systems. One driver for automation is the increasing shortage of skilled workers. Based on the empirical findings, the study proposes options to increase the use of automation.
Industrie 4.0 Management | Volume 39 | 2023 | Edition 4 | Pages 21-24 | DOI 10.30844/IM_23-4_21-24
Robust Enterprise Processes

Robust Enterprise Processes

Companies need more than robust resources
Annika Lange ORCID Icon, Thomas Knothe ORCID Icon
Whether it is the availability and costs of raw materials, energy and personnel or simply market and sales options, disruptions are increasingly influencing the business of manufacturing companies. In recent years, it has become clear that robustness, particularly in the face of a wide range of disruptions, cannot be countered by managing critical resources alone. From the authors' point of view, the design of robust corporate processes is part of the comprehensive approach. In this article, the importance of robust processes in the context of critically changing resources and infrastructures is demonstrated. (Only in German)
Industrie 4.0 Management | Volume 39 | 2023 | Edition 4 | Pages 36-39
Strategic Options for Resilient Value Chains

Strategic Options for Resilient Value Chains

Ein Vergleich lokal integrierter und global diversifizierter Alternativen
Steffen Kinkel ORCID Icon, Dennis Richter
Global supply and value chains have become increasingly complex and interconnected, exposing companies to a range of risks caused by natural disasters, political instability, or global pandemics. The paper outlines some strategic options for companies to improve the resilience of their value chains, namely expansion of local or global supply chains, regional concentration or global diversification of production capacities, and insourcing or outsourcing activities. Data of 314 German manufacturing firms is used to investigate the influence of different digital technologies and adaptable production systems.
Industrie 4.0 Management | Volume 39 | 2023 | Edition 4 | Pages 31-35 | DOI 10.30844/IM_23-4_31-35
Value Networks in the Healthcare Industry

Value Networks in the Healthcare Industry

A Concept for Increasing Resilience to
Melanie Rieprich, Saskia Ramm
DisruptionsThe COVID-19 pandemic highlighted significant deficiencies in the value networks of the healthcare industry, as demands were not identified fast enough and production systems and processes could not be adapted quickly. The revealed need for resilience of companies in the healthcare industry must be addressed in order to prepare them for further disruptions and mitigate their consequences. Therefore, this paper presents a concept aimed at increasing the resilience of these companies.
Industrie 4.0 Management | Volume 39 | 2023 | Edition 4 | Pages 40-44 | DOI 10.30844/IM_23-4_40-44
Wirtschaftliche Resilienz durch Subventionen?

Wirtschaftliche Resilienz durch Subventionen?

Anmerkungen aus ökonomischer Perspektive
Manuel Rupprecht
The world economy is under tension. For years now, globalization has been faltering, moving sideways at best. Recent developments have caused additional distortions. There is now a strong desire for independence. In many places, subsidies are supposed to pave the way for this. In some areas, a veritable competition has broken out in this regard. Even if this is understandable from a political point of view, from an economic perspective the disadvantages of such a competition outweigh the benefits.
Industrie 4.0 Management | Volume 39 | 2023 | Edition 4 | Pages 16-20 | DOI 10.30844/IM_23-4_16-20
The Power of People in Pandemic Times

The Power of People in Pandemic Times

Driving Supply Chain Resilience through Corporate Culture
Nils-Ole Hohenstein
The assertion “Our people are what set us apart from our rivals” is a common statement made by nearly every company, highlighting the significance of their people as the most valuable asset. Similarly, a corporate culture emphasizing risk awareness and learning from experiences has played a key role in shaping supply chain resilience (SCRES) amidst competitive dynamics in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Employee engagement, communication, and collaboration, as dimensions of SC risk awareness, determine the effectiveness of firms’ cultures in handling large-scale disruptions with robustness and agility. Additionally, the COVID-19 crisis has had a positive impact on firms’ learning orientation. The crucial necessity of digital supply chain (SC) transformation to enhance SCRES under pandemic conditions has further reinforced the need for dynamic adaptation and reconfiguration of firms’ culture and employee skillsets through digital upskilling.
Industrie 4.0 Management | Volume 39 | 2023 | Edition 4 | Pages 25-30 | DOI 10.30844/IM_23-4_25-30
Digital Transformation for SMEs

Digital Transformation for SMEs

Developing a roadmap for Industry 4.0 visions in small and medium-sized enterprises
Robin Sutherland ORCID Icon, Nicolas Wittine ORCID Icon, Deike Gliem ORCID Icon, Sigrid Wenzel ORCID Icon
Small and medium-sized enterprises still face the challenge of shaping their digital transformation. Maturity models offer a way to capture the situation within a company and support the formation of an Industry 4.0 vision. This paper presents a methodology that companies can use to develop a roadmap for shaping digital transformation by enabling the transfer of this vision into concrete decision-making steps.
Industrie 4.0 Management | Volume 39 | 2023 | Edition 4 | Pages 59-62 | DOI 10.30844/IM_23-4_59-62
Pragmatism for Resilient Logistics Networks

Pragmatism for Resilient Logistics Networks

Pragmatism on the road to resilient logistics networks
Michael Schröder
As a result of disruptions in the supply chain, enhancing resilience has become imperative. Upon reevaluating risks associated with the supply side, it is necessary to shift our perspective on inventory management. Drawing from proven and practical solutions, we should focus on implementing swift measures to bolster stock levels and transition from single sourcing to multiple sourcing. Furthermore, embracing digitization will significantly enhance the efficiency of the supply chain as well as the identification of faults. (Only in German)
Industrie 4.0 Management | Volume 39 | 2023 | Edition 4 | Pages 63-66
Applying Numerical Indices to Measure and Increase Resilience

Applying Numerical Indices to Measure and Increase Resilience

Approaches to analyzing resilience in supply chains
Saskia Sardesai ORCID Icon, Lucas Schreiber
An increased awareness of risks and rising incidents prompt companies to enhance the resilience of their supply chains. While various measures can be employed to increase resilience, a parallel consideration of a multitude of metrics is necessary to explicitly evaluate its impact on supply chain resilience. The paper presents approaches that facilitate the comparability of resilience across alternative supply chain designs by combining various metrics into a single numerical index. Additionally, innovative technologies are highlighted that can help to create resilient supply chains.
Industrie 4.0 Management | Volume 39 | 2023 | Edition 4 | Pages 45-49 | DOI 10.30844/IM_23-4_45-49
BSI Recommends: Virtual and Secure Surfing

BSI Recommends: Virtual and Secure Surfing

Clemens A. Schulz
Every day there are cyber attacks in the industrial sector − only the most spectacular incidents make the headlines. Like the attack on the automotive supplier Continental last summer or on the commercial vehicle supplier SAF-Holland in March this year. The financial damage caused by such attacks and the loss of trust among customers and employees are enormous. As protection against cyber attacks, the Federal Office for Information Security (BSI) now recommends that companies use a browser with so-called virtualised instances for the first time. This is because most attacks enter company networks via the internet. Such a browser can systematically keep attackers out of the network and is therefore a particularly effective protection.
Industrie 4.0 Management | Volume 39 | 2023 | Edition 3 | Pages 14-16
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