Determinants of Decision-Makers’ Attitudes toward Industry 4.0 Adaptation

• Main Author: Tomomi Hamada
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2019-05-01
• Series: Social Sciences
• Subjects: Industry 4.0; decision-maker; organizational inertia; information systems
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-0760/8/5/140

Industry 4.0 could drastically change not only firms’ production sites, organization, operation, and marketing but also industrial competition rules. This study aims at investigating a real situation of firms’ willingness to adapt to Industry 4.0 and revealing the determinants of decision-makers’ attitudes toward Industry 4.0 adaptation, as well as factors that inhibit adaptation. The study, using statistical analysis and questionnaire survey data for quantitative observation, finds that firms required the following: fostering the positive attitude of decision-makers toward adapting Industry 4.0, enhancing decision-makers’ acquisition of appropriate knowledge, and complementing lack of resources such as skilled workers. Moreover, firms applying to adapt to Industry 4.0 as well as outsiders must participate in promoting it among manufacturing firms.