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Industry 4.0 policy from a sociotechnical perspective: The case of German competence centres

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  • Prodi, Elena
  • Tassinari, Mattia
  • Ferrannini, Andrea
  • Rubini, Lauretta

Abstract

A growing body of literature suggests that Industry 4.0 is the result of complex interactions and coordination between technical and social aspects in pursuit of the digital transformation of production processes. Policy solutions and instruments adopted by governments at various levels of the system contribute to catalysing the sociotechnical changes underpinning Industry 4.0. However, the role of intermediary organisations in changing sociotechnical systems and overcoming ecosystem limitations remains largely unexplored. This paper aims at addressing this research gap.

Suggested Citation

  • Prodi, Elena & Tassinari, Mattia & Ferrannini, Andrea & Rubini, Lauretta, 2022. "Industry 4.0 policy from a sociotechnical perspective: The case of German competence centres," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 175(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:tefoso:v:175:y:2022:i:c:s0040162521007721
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techfore.2021.121341
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    2. Kraus, Sascha & Kumar, Satish & Lim, Weng Marc & Kaur, Jaspreet & Sharma, Anuj & Schiavone, Francesco, 2023. "From moon landing to metaverse: Tracing the evolution of Technological Forecasting and Social Change," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 189(C).
    3. Dabić, Marina & Maley, Jane F. & Črešnar, Rok & Nedelko, Zlatko, 2023. "Unappreciated channel of manufacturing productivity under industry 4.0: Leadership values and capabilities," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 162(C).
    4. Abi Saad, Elie & Tremblay, Nathalie & Agogué, Marine, 2024. "A multi-level perspective on innovation intermediaries: The case of the diffusion of digital technologies in healthcare," Technovation, Elsevier, vol. 129(C).

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Industry 4.0; Sociotechnical system; Intermediary organisations; Germany; SMEs; Competence centres;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • O25 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Development Planning and Policy - - - Industrial Policy
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes
    • O38 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Government Policy
    • R11 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - General Regional Economics - - - Regional Economic Activity: Growth, Development, Environmental Issues, and Changes

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