Moving towards digitalization: a multiple case study in manufacturing

Abstract

This work presents a multiple case study analysis aimed at depicting a managerial perspective for the implementation of a transformation path towards Industry 4.0 (I4.0) in manufacturing value chain. Starting from the analysis of the literature on values and impacts of digitalization and I4.0 in operations and supply chain management, the research investigates three key dimensions to take into account when defining the digital transformation path from a managerial perspective: investments in I4.0 technologies, ability in perceiving the path towards digital transformation, and knowledge sharing. For each dimension, patterns of managerial practices and related challenges for the implementation of the I4.0 paradigm has been identified, building on the insights and experiences of different players of the manufacturing supply chain (companies, ranging from large enterprises to SMEs, service and technology providers, competence centres). The results proposed in terms of key challenges, common mistakes and best practices according to the level of digital implementation, represent an overview of reference that can support companies in understanding which are the most important issues to be addressed when facing the adoption of digital and innovative technologies.

Keywords:

• Industry 4.0
• digital transformation
• operations
• supply chain
• value chain
• case studies

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to acknowledge the European Commission for their support and their gratitude and appreciation to all the project team for their contribution during the development of this research.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This research has been conducted as part of the BIFOCAlps project (n° 510) (Boosting Innovation in Factory Of the future value Chain in the Alps), funded by the European Commission under the Interreg Alpine Space programme.

Notes on contributors

Andrea Zangiacomi

Andrea Zangiacomi, works as a researcher at CNR-STIIMA, he has a degree in Industrial Engineering and his research interests are related to Mass Customization, Supply Chain Management and Digitalization. These topics have been explored in different national and EU-funded research projects. He has been involved in roadmapping activities for the manufacturing sector at regional and national level. He also has a degree in Psychology of work and organizations. Interests in this field are mainly related to the impact of new technologies on organizations and interaction design. He has more than 40 publications, including papers in academic journals and conference proceedings.

Elena Pessot

Elena Pessot, Ph.D., is a Post-doc research fellow at the Institute of Intelligent Industrial Systems and Technologies for Advanced Manufacturing of National Research Council of Italy (STIIMA-CNR). She holds a master’s Degree in Management Engineering and a PhD in Industrial and Information Engineering from the University of Udine. Her scientific interests are in the areas of complex systems, strategic and innovation management systems. Her main publications appeared in Journal of Business Research and Business Process Management Journal. She has professional experience in logistics management and works as researcher in European projects on digitalization, Industry 4.0, business model and open innovation.

Rosanna Fornasiero

Rosanna Fornasiero is researcher at CNR-STIIMA in the area of Supply Chain Management, Mass Customization, Innovation management and Research policies. She has experience in many EU projects in different work programmes (ICT, NMP, Growth, Industrial Leadership) both as scientific and technical coordinator. She is currently coordinator of NEXT-NET EU project. She works with industrial associations to support regional research projects. She is coordinator of the roadmapping group in the National Cluster of Intelligent Factories. She has more than 60 publications in scientific journals and conference proceedings and she is part of the scientific committee of conferences like PRO-VE, APMS, ICE.

Massimiliano Bertetti

Massimiliano Bertetti works as innovation manager at Polo Tecnologico di Pordenone. Massimiliano coordinated the eu project BIFOCAlps in the field of Industry 4.0 themes (Factory of the Future, digital production, supply chain) and different projects in the field of product innovation, with particular attention to the technological innovation processes. He holds a PhD in Mechanical Engineering and he has held the positions of team leader and project manager with more than 10 years of experience in R&D and management consulting.

Marco Sacco

Dr. Marco Sacco, senior researcher, Chief of CNR-STIMA subsidiary in Lecco: Smart Human-Centered Living Environments center and head of division Enterprise Engineering and Virtual Application (25 researchers). President of European Association for Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality. Main research sectors are: Virtual and Augmented Reality, Simulation. Semantic Web and Ontologies. He has more than 160 publications, including papers in academic journals and conference proceedings on the following topics: Virtual & Augmented Reality, Applied Robotic, Semantic Web & Ontology, Simulation and Training.