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Industry 4.0: Whose Revolution? The Digitalization of Manufacturing Work Processes

Abstract

The ongoing digitalization of manufacturing work processes resulting from Industry 4.0—defined as digitalization, automation, and data exchange in manufacturing—challenges how we see and define the role of operators and managers. Consequently, this study investigates the extent to which digital tools are used and available to managers and operators in manufacturing who are experiencing digitalization due to Industry 4.0 movements. A crosssectional
study of production managers and operators (n = 417) was conducted among 10
Norwegian manufacturing companies. Results from independent t-tests and Chi-square tests indicate that, compared with operators, production managers report higher satisfaction with different digitalization experiences, more extensive use of digital systems for registration and documentation, and greater availability of digital tools. Thus, digitalization and digital tools based on the Industry 4.0 concepts seem to have only reached the managerial level, and the revolution seems to be top down.
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Category

Academic article

Language

English

Author(s)

Affiliation

  • SINTEF Digital / Technology Management

Date

11.12.2019

Year

2019

Published in

Nordic Journal of Working Life Studies

Volume

9

Issue

4

Page(s)

39 - 57

View this publication at Norwegian Research Information Repository