Industry 4.0 as policy-driven discourse to institutionalize innovation systems in manufacturing

Publication date: July 2018Source: Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Volume 132Author(s): Georg ReischauerAbstractWe are witnessing an increasing adoption of digital technologies in manufacturing industries around the globe. This trend is often debated under the label Industry 4.0. A key claim put forward in these debates is that Industry 4.0 represents a revolution that will reshape manufacturing industries akin to previous industrial revolutions. Despite the popularity of this claim, it provides little help to clarify the identity of Industry 4.0. Such a clarification is however much needed given the worldwide proliferation of digital technologies in manufacturing industries. I address this gap by arguing to view Industry 4.0 as policy-driven innovation discourse in manufacturing industries that aims to institutionalize innovation systems that encompass business, academia, and politics. This clarification of the identity of Industry 4.0 adds to a better understanding of the relationship between manufacturing and politics as well as technological change in manufacturing.

Source: Technological Forecasting and Social Change - July 5, 2018 Category: Science Source Type: research