quantitative study

Industry 4.0-related potentials leading to Industry 4.0 implementation mostly remain unclear. Consequently, this paper analyzes potentials that drive manufacturers to implement Industry 4.0 in five industries. Whereas mechanical and plant engineering as well as electrical engineering companies consider business-model driven, operational as well as ecological and social benefits as relevant for Industry 4.0 implementation, the chemical and steel industry widely disregard business-model driven opportunities. The automotive industry merely focuses on operational benefits provided by Industry 4.0.

Industry 4.0 requires many efforts in terms of standardization. So far, small and medium-sized enterprises have scarcely been regarded in this context. This study presents empirical results from 225 SMEs regarding three contexts of standardization, inside the enterprise, interfaces with other enterprises and outside the enterprise. Differentiated for ten industry sectors, distinct characteristics and strategies for standardization regarding each industry sector are derived.