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Impact of Industry 4.0 Technology on International Posting of Workers

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  • Joanna Bednarz
  • Carola Schuster
  • Martin Rost

Abstract

Posting of workers is a common reality in all EU Member States and in all export-oriented industries. The problem relates to existing travel restrictions in connection with the COVID-19 pandemic and in the context of the carbon footprint of business travel. In this context, the development of new Industry 4.0 technologies plays a significant role. The aim of the article is to identify the impact of Industry 4.0 technology on the international posting of workers in light of the COVID-19 pandemic on example of the German chemical industry. The basis of the analysis are two factor conditions of the Diamond Model of M.E. Porter: innovation and human capital. A qualitative study was conducted with experts in Industry 4.0 that regularly post workers. The results indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated the pace of technology adoption (especially Augmented Reality cluster). Industry 4.0 technologies enable companies to reduce the posting of workers. For this purpose, IT skills are now the most important, followed by communication, flexibility, and openness, as well as soft, team and didactic skills. JEL Codes: F23, J61, O33

Suggested Citation

  • Joanna Bednarz & Carola Schuster & Martin Rost, 2023. "Impact of Industry 4.0 Technology on International Posting of Workers," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(1), pages 21582440231, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:sagope:v:13:y:2023:i:1:p:21582440231163488
    DOI: 10.1177/21582440231163488
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    Industry 4.0; posting of workers; Diamond Model; COVID-19; chemical industry; Germany;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • F23 - International Economics - - International Factor Movements and International Business - - - Multinational Firms; International Business
    • J61 - Labor and Demographic Economics - - Mobility, Unemployment, Vacancies, and Immigrant Workers - - - Geographic Labor Mobility; Immigrant Workers
    • O33 - Economic Development, Innovation, Technological Change, and Growth - - Innovation; Research and Development; Technological Change; Intellectual Property Rights - - - Technological Change: Choices and Consequences; Diffusion Processes

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