Identification of key factors of Industry 4.0 development from the perspective of R&D organisations using the Delphi method

Various measures have been introduced to bring together businesses and scholars. This study aims to identify the critical factors for the progress of Industry 4.0, and the ability to cooperate with businesses from the perspective of Slovak public research and development organisations using the classical Delphi method. Two rounds of the Delphi method were performed. The interquartile ratio measured consensus among experts; the mean determined whether the factor could be considered critical; and the difference in the coefficients of variation was used as a measure of the stability of answers between rounds. Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats (SWOT) matrix factors were grouped into four categories: framework conditions, technology, human resources, and cooperation. Of the 63 factors included in our SWOT matrix, only two acquired mean ratings lower than moderate. This suggests that to exploit the potential of Industry 4.0, an innovation ecosystem perspective that captures various areas is crucial.