Digital technologies, Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) & Global Value Chains (GVCs) nexus with emerging economies’ future industrial innovation dynamics

Abstract

The advent of the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) has the potential to transform emerging economies to another developmental echelon by increasing productivity and improving future fluidity of innovation across various industries. Predictively, 4IR in emerging economies will come with newest technologies that are disruptive. This technological innovation will cause changes not only in industries and business but also in societies in general. The current article is based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) of secondary data sources, mainly peer reviewed reputable journal articles. The purpose is to draw conclusions and to identify the research gaps. Results depicted that the key challenge is for the emerging economies to establish ways of engaging themselves into Global Value Chains (GVCs) that are dynamic in nature. Future researchers are encouraged to consider alternative methodologies to examine 4IR and GVCs nexus with emerging economies’ within a longitudinal research design. Systematic literature review in the current article is based on a structural analysis methodology to frame the categories of the major analysis in combination with scientific rigour to a broad and complex problem. The current scientific research study contributes to theory, practice and future research directions.

Keywords:

• innovation
• Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR)
• futures studies
• Global Value Chains (GVCs)
• new digital technologies
• sustainable development

PUBLIC INTEREST STATEMENT

The development of Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) or Industry 4.0 in emerging technologies shall result in the creation of new opportunities for emerging economies growth and development. The quality of life will increase as well as income per capita. The 4IR will bring greater partnerships via digital platforms, creating a level play field for collaborating emerging economies in controlling their resources and sovereignty. More possibilities may be created to enhance industrial production processes through integration of intelligent and automated mechanisms. Due to this, industries are developing new ways of dealing with digital disruption affecting the strategic value chains and operations. The advance of artificial intelligence and machine learning, the adoption of Block chain, and the manifest automation of jobs, the advent of 3D printing and additive manufacturing, nanotechnology and the logistical impact of self-driving cars mean that the very structure of society will change.

Disclosure statement

The researchers declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest.

Additional information

Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

Notes on contributors

B. Nyagadza

Brighton Nyagadza is a lecturer in the department of Marketing at Marondera University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology (MUAST), Zimbabwe.

Rumbidzai Pashapa is a lecturer in department of Supply Chain Management at the Marondera University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (MUAST), Zimbabwe.

Anyway Chare is currently a lecturer in the department of Marketing at Marondera University of Agricultural Sciences & Technology (MUAST), Zimbabwe.

Gideon Mazuruse is a Mathematics and Statistics lecturer in the Teaching Learning Institute (TLI), Marondera University of Agricultural Sciences Technology (MUAST), Zimbabwe.

Precious Hove is Executive Dean of Agribusiness Faculty at the Marondera University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (MUAST), Zimbabwe.