Consequences in the Workplace After Industry 4.0 Adoption: A Multiple Case Study of Italian Manufacturing Organisations

Abstract

In this study, we explore the consequences of Industry 4.0 adoption in the workplace. Industry 4.0 refers to a set of technologies for the assembly line, which allows increasing automation on operational and decision-making activities. The literature agrees on the positive impact that Industry 4.0 technologies have on the production process. We find in the literature contradictory results on the role of labour and the changes consequent to the adoption of the technologies. To address this gap, we performed a multiple case study of three Italian manufacturing organisations. Findings show the positive consequences of Industry 4.0 technologies and how the management addresses the negative social consequences of Industry 4.0.