IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jecomi/v12y2024i8p210-d1460179.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Enhancing Competitiveness: Driving and Facilitating Factors for Industry 4.0 Adoption in Thai Manufacturing

Author

Listed:
  • Nuchjarin Intalar

    (Department of Computer Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Thammasat University, Khlong Nueng 12120, Thailand)

  • Yasushi Ueki

    (Institute of Developing Economies, Chiba 261-8545, Japan)

  • Chawalit Jeenanunta

    (School of Management Technology, Sirindhorn International Institute of Technology, Thammasat University, Khlong Nueng 12120, Thailand)

Abstract

Adopting Industry 4.0 (I4.0) is inevitable for Thailand’s manufacturing sector to remain competitive because global markets increasingly demand higher quality, faster delivery, and greater customization. While firms need to enhance productivity and optimize resource utilization, they also need to reduce operation costs, which require advanced technologies and data-driven operations. However, successful adoption requires skilled human resources, which is challenging for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). This research explores factors driving and facilitating the implementation of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) in Thai manufacturing firms among SMEs and large firms. We employed qualitative analysis using semi-structured interviews with SMEs and large manufacturing firms in Thailand. Five key factors emerged as crucial for I4.0 adoption: awareness of I4.0, strong and proactive support from top management, self-funding capabilities, and effective human resource development strategies. While large multinational enterprises (MNEs) possess more significant resources and capabilities to adopt I4.0 technologies, SMEs face considerable challenges. They require a strategic approach tailored to their unique needs and resources to develop a feasible I4.0 roadmap. Additionally, governments and industry associations can play a significant role by providing training, funding, and other resources to empower SMEs to embrace I4.0.

Suggested Citation

  • Nuchjarin Intalar & Yasushi Ueki & Chawalit Jeenanunta, 2024. "Enhancing Competitiveness: Driving and Facilitating Factors for Industry 4.0 Adoption in Thai Manufacturing," Economies, MDPI, vol. 12(8), pages 1-23, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jecomi:v:12:y:2024:i:8:p:210-:d:1460179
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7099/12/8/210/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7099/12/8/210/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Benjamin Saunders & Julius Sim & Tom Kingstone & Shula Baker & Jackie Waterfield & Bernadette Bartlam & Heather Burroughs & Clare Jinks, 2018. "Saturation in qualitative research: exploring its conceptualization and operationalization," Quality & Quantity: International Journal of Methodology, Springer, vol. 52(4), pages 1893-1907, July.
    2. Julian Marius Müller & Daniel Kiel & Kai-Ingo Voigt, 2018. "What Drives the Implementation of Industry 4.0? The Role of Opportunities and Challenges in the Context of Sustainability," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(1), pages 1-24, January.
    3. Vu Linh Toan Le & Tien Hoang Nguyen & Khanh Duy Pham, 2023. "What Drives Industry 4.0 Technologies Adoption? Evidence from a SEM-Neural Network Approach in the Context of Vietnamese Firms," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(7), pages 1-32, March.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Jennifer Tartaglia & Michelle McIntosh & Jonine Jancey & Jane Scott & Andrea Begley, 2021. "Exploring Feeding Practices and Food Literacy in Parents with Young Children from Disadvantaged Areas," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-18, February.
    2. Şahika Simsek-Cetinkaya & Simge Evrenol Ocal, 2023. "“Psychological Injuries Are Not Visible†: Experiences and Perceptions of Midwives and Nurses about Domestic Violence during Pregnancy," Clinical Nursing Research, , vol. 32(8), pages 1115-1123, November.
    3. Maria Polorecka & Jozef Kubas & Pavel Danihelka & Katarina Petrlova & Katarina Repkova Stofkova & Katarina Buganova, 2021. "Use of Software on Modeling Hazardous Substance Release as a Support Tool for Crisis Management," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(1), pages 1-15, January.
    4. Wunhong Su & Liuzhen Zhang & Chao Ge & Shuai Chen, 2022. "Association between Internal Control and Sustainability: A Literature Review Based on the SOX Act Framework," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(15), pages 1-30, August.
    5. Silvia Scaramuzzi & Sara Gabellini & Giovanni Belletti & Andrea Marescotti, 2021. "Agrobiodiversity-Oriented Food Systems between Public Policies and Private Action: A Socio-Ecological Model for Sustainable Territorial Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-32, November.
    6. Tongyu Meng & Jamie Newth & Christine Woods, 2022. "Ethical Sensemaking in Impact Investing: Reasons and Motives in the Chinese Renewable Energy Sector," Journal of Business Ethics, Springer, vol. 179(4), pages 1091-1117, September.
    7. Annette Peart & Virginia Lewis & Chris Barton & Grant Russell, 2020. "Healthcare professionals providing care coordination to people living with multimorbidity: An interpretative phenomenological analysis," Journal of Clinical Nursing, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 29(13-14), pages 2317-2328, July.
    8. Soo-Yong Shin & Eun-Ju Lim, 2021. "Clinical Work and Life of Mid-Career Male Nurses: A Qualitative Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-10, June.
    9. Fatoumata Fofana & Pat Bazeley & Antoine Regnault, 2020. "Applying a mixed methods design to test saturation for qualitative data in health outcomes research," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 15(6), pages 1-12, June.
    10. Thomas Dax & Oliver Tamme, 2023. "Attractive Landscape Features as Drivers for Sustainable Mountain Tourism Experiences," Tourism and Hospitality, MDPI, vol. 4(3), pages 1-16, June.
    11. Dimitrios Gouglas & Kendall Hoyt & Elizabeth Peacocke & Aristidis Kaloudis & Trygve Ottersen & John-Arne Røttingen, 2019. "Setting Strategic Objectives for the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations: An Exploratory Decision Analysis Process," Service Science, INFORMS, vol. 49(6), pages 430-446, November.
    12. Artur Pollak & Agata Hilarowicz & Maciej Walczak & Damian Gąsiorek, 2020. "A Framework of Action for Implementation of Industry 4.0. an Empirically Based Research," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(14), pages 1-16, July.
    13. Olumide Emmanuel Oluyisola & Fabio Sgarbossa & Jan Ola Strandhagen, 2020. "Smart Production Planning and Control: Concept, Use-Cases and Sustainability Implications," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-29, May.
    14. Khalid Rasheed Memon & Say Keat Ooi & Heesup Han, 2024. "Responsible innovation and corporate sustainability performance: A structural equation modeling‐neural network approach," Business Strategy and the Environment, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 33(4), pages 2712-2730, May.
    15. Du, Juntao & Shen, Zhiyang & Song, Malin & Zhang, Linda, 2023. "Nexus between digital transformation and energy technology innovation: An empirical test of A-share listed enterprises," Energy Economics, Elsevier, vol. 120(C).
    16. Matthys, Marie-Luise & Acharya, Sushant & Khatri, Sanjaya, 2021. "“Before cardamom, we used to face hardship”: Analyzing agricultural commercialization effects in Nepal through a local concept of the Good Life," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 141(C).
    17. Radomska Joanna & Hajdas Monika & Wołczek Przemysław & Glinka Beata, 2023. "Wide open? Creative industries and open strategizing challenges," International Journal of Management and Economics, Warsaw School of Economics, Collegium of World Economy, vol. 59(2), pages 117-136, June.
    18. Ana Teresa Tavares-Lehmann & Celeste Varum, 2021. "Industry 4.0 and Sustainability: A Bibliometric Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-15, March.
    19. Stephanie W. Lee & Jing Xu & Tai-Ming Wut & Yui-Yip Lau & Joseph H. L. Chan & Tin-Shing Liu & Louis W. Y. Mok & Jason K. Y. Chan, 2024. "Aging in Place in Hong Kong and Its Implications for Sustainable Development: A Qualitative Study Exploring the Needs, Beliefs, Behaviors, and Well-Being of Older Adults through Self-Determination The," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-18, April.
    20. Dr. Ali Raza & Dr. Sheema Matloob & Dr. Muzafar Hussain Shah & Dr. Irshad Hussain Sarki, 2023. "Leadership Styles And Sustainable Competitive Performance In Pakistani Smes: An Industry 4.0 Perspective," Bulletin of Business and Economics (BBE), Research Foundation for Humanity (RFH), vol. 12(3), pages 138-149.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jecomi:v:12:y:2024:i:8:p:210-:d:1460179. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.