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The influence of Industry 4.0 narratives on regional path development

Abstract

Industry 4.0 has become a key concept and buzzword in the global manufacturing industry. This paper argues that the concept has created an Industry 4.0 narrative that is having a decisive impact on the industry. The paper combines the literatures on the sociology of expectations and regional path development to develop an analytical framework which is employed in an analysis of the Raufoss region in Norway. We find that the expectations created by the global Industry 4.0 narrative have trickled down into national industry and innovation policies. This has resulted in the anchoring of innovation schemes, development of new educational provisions and generated technological capability building among manufacturers in the Raufoss region. In turn, we argue that these actions have enabled regional path extension.
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Category

Academic article

Language

English

Author(s)

Affiliation

  • SINTEF Digital / Technology Management
  • SINTEF Manufacturing

Year

2022

Published in

Regional Studies, Regional Science

Volume

9

Issue

1

Page(s)

82 - 92

View this publication at Norwegian Research Information Repository