The transformation of the economy being brought about by Industrie 4.0 is leading to the emergence of highly flexible value networks. Businesses now need to network their production activities both in-house and with the systems of external partners. This in turn requires new forms of cooperation, both nationally and globally. Common norms and standards enabling interoperability between different systems are equally essential. This acatech STUDY analyses the opportunities and challenges for businesses of international cooperation and the current competition to establish norms and standards. It is based on interviews and discussions with more than 150 experts from Germany, China, Japan, South Korea, the US and the UK. Detailed country profiles describe the background situation and Industrie 4.0 status quo in the focus countries. Finally, the study makes a number of recommendations for German actors regarding cooperation with international partners.

The Fourth Industrial Revolution, also known as Industry 4.0, refers to the industrial paradigm bringing together the digital and physical worlds through the cyber-physical Systems, enhanced by the Internet of Things aimed to increase the effectiveness of human-machine cooperation (HMC). This book deals with issues related to the challenges of Industry 4.0 that are faced by enterprises and universities. Contrary to most publications on the subject, it covers both technological and business aspects of these challenges and shows how strong they are intertwined, bringing new value to readers. The book also presents new findings that will guide enterprises through Industry 4.0. This book offers readers an in-depth discussion of important areas of enterprises’ activities in the context of Industry 4.0. The first area concerns human resources management; in particular, what new employee competencies will be needed on the labor market, how to use modern concepts (e.g. design thinking), and how to manage multi-national teams of employees. The second area is related to marketing and covers issues regarding customized products. The third area is devoted to technical aspects such as autonomous vehicles, Internet of Things (IoT), radio-frequency identification (RFID) systems, and Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) technology. The fourth area concerns IT systems, including systems that support work and business management, strategic information systems, and cyber-physical systems. Aimed at researchers, academics, practitioners, and students, it will be of value to those in the fields of human resource management, marketing, organizational studies, and management of technology and innovation.

This book examines the impact of industry 4.0, and constructs a strategic digital transformation operational framework to prepare for it. It begins by examining the background of industry 4.0, exploring the industrial internet, new business models and disruptive technologies, as well as the challenges that this revolution brings for industries and manager. The research enhances our understanding of strategic digital transformation framework within industry 4.0. It will be valuable reading for academics working in the field of industry 4.0 and strategy, as well as practitioners interested in enhancing their firms’ readiness for industry 4.0.

There is a void of research and other academic materials to support stakeholders operating within industry and the service sector with respect to their perceptions and experiences of remote work, particularly in the context of global business, sustainability, and change management. As more businesses consider remaining and maintaining a remote workforce, it is of paramount importance that new research be conducted regarding the multifaceted area of remote work and sustainable change for global business. Remote Work and Sustainable Changes for the Future of Global Business raises awareness of the multifaceted area of remote work in the context of sustainable change. In particular, it explores remote technology in an attempt to cope with the changing landscape of work environments amidst global change from a sociotechnical perspective. This book provides insight into the challenges both national and international businesses face during a world crisis. Covering topics such as crisis management, the human cloud, and virtual collaboration, this book is essential to business managers, project managers, business clusters, entrepreneurs, higher education practitioners, faculty and PhD researchers, educational boards, technology vendors and firms, and academic researchers.

Social sciences have always been an important tool that enables human beings to examine and understand society. Through social sciences, researchers gain understandings of social phenomena and changes by providing commentaries, producing explanations, and attempting to synthesize a diversity of information sets to formulate theories. Since the concept of change has been the hallmark of the new millennium, researchers have witnessed a transformation in every aspect of the modern world at an ever-increasing speed, particularly in the social facet of human life. Ways of thinking that had previously been upheld and taught may, therefore, no longer be appropriate or effective as tools to understand contemporary phenomena and changes. The Handbook of Research on Current Trends in Asian Economics, Business, and Administration is a critical reference source that examines different aspects of social sciences, management, sociology, and education to better understand today’s society and social life in the Asian context. The book identifies trends, impacts, and implications of disruptive technologies for business and socio-economic development as well as strategic advantage on different levels of business and administration. Covering topics that include e-commerce, green management, information technology, economic growth, and distance learning, this book is essential for economists, academicians, government officials, policymakers, social scientists, managers, leaders, behavioral scientists, academicians, researchers, and students.

World-renowned economist Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum, explains that we have an opportunity to shape the fourth industrial revolu­tion, which will fundamentally alter how we live and work. Schwab argues that this revolution is different in scale, scope and complexity from any that have come before. Characterized by a range of new technologies that are fusing the physical, digital and biological worlds, the developments are affecting all disciplines, economies, industries and governments, and even challenging ideas about what it means to be human. Artificial intelligence is already all around us, from supercomputers, drones and virtual assistants to 3D printing, DNA sequencing, smart thermostats, wear­able sensors and microchips smaller than a grain of sand. But this is just the beginning: nanomaterials 200 times stronger than steel and a million times thinner than a strand of hair and the first transplant of a 3D printed liver are already in development. Imagine “smart factories” in which global systems of manu­facturing are coordinated virtually, or implantable mobile phones made of biosynthetic materials. The fourth industrial revolution, says Schwab, is more significant, and its ramifications more profound, than in any prior period of human history. He outlines the key technologies driving this revolution and discusses the major impacts expected on government, business, civil society and individu­als. Schwab also offers bold ideas on how to harness these changes and shape a better future—one in which technology empowers people rather than replaces them; progress serves society rather than disrupts it; and in which innovators respect moral and ethical boundaries rather than cross them. We all have the opportunity to contribute to developing new frame­works that advance progress.

Industrial Revolution 4.0 is upon us, with disruptive technology rapidly changing our personal and professional lives. In this climate it is not clear how organization reorganization will take place and there is haziness over the strategic HRM required to attract, develop, and retain talent.