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Knowledge-sharing across supply chain actors in adopting Industry 4.0 technologies: An exploratory case study within the automotive industry

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  • Eslami, Mohammad H.
  • Achtenhagen, Leona
  • Bertsch, Cedric Tobias
  • Lehmann, Annika

Abstract

This study investigates the role of knowledge-sharing between supply chain actors in facilitating their adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies, identifying factors that hinder or promote such knowledge-sharing. Drawing on an in-depth single case study, including 19 interviews with a manufacturing firm in the German automotive industry and five of the suppliers and customers in the focal firm’s supply chain, the study identifies the following knowledge-sharing approaches that facilitate the adoption of Industry 4.0: 1) knowledge-sharing through principles; 2) upstream flow of knowledge; 3) strategic positioning; and 4) application-relatedness. These approaches are shown to be influenced both by company-related factors and relational factors. Applying a knowledge-based view of the firm, this study addresses a gap in current research by investigating the role of knowledge-sharing in adopting Industry 4.0 from the perspectives not only of a single focal firm but also of upstream and downstream suppliers and customers in the supply chain. In presenting approaches to knowledge-sharing that promote the implementation of Industry 4.0 based on a firm's existing resources, this study is also of direct relevance to practitioners.

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  • Eslami, Mohammad H. & Achtenhagen, Leona & Bertsch, Cedric Tobias & Lehmann, Annika, 2023. "Knowledge-sharing across supply chain actors in adopting Industry 4.0 technologies: An exploratory case study within the automotive industry," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 186(PA).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:tefoso:v:186:y:2023:i:pa:s0040162522006394
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techfore.2022.122118
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