Examining the impact of Industry 4.0 technologies on industrial performance of manufacturing organisations in India: an empirical study

Abstract

Industry 4.0 (I 4.0) technologies can significantly enhance the competitiveness, agility, and sustainability of the Indian manufacturing industry in the global market landscape. However, a lack of awareness about the potential benefits of I 4.0 inhibits its adoption within the sector. This lack of understanding, coupled with the complexities and implementation challenges associated with these technologies, disguises the relationship between benefits and adoption. This study aims to investigate the relationship between the adoption of I 4.0 technologies and the benefits expected from these technologies. A survey of 174 manufacturing organisations operating in India is conducted. The results of the survey suggest that the adoption of I 4.0 technologies has a positive relationship with operational performance benefits. The secondary benefits such as product flexibility, work-life balance and sustainability could only be considered after achieving operational performance. This paper contributes to the growing body of literature on the impact of I 4.0 on the manufacturing industry in India. Further it provides a base for future research on real benefits of I 4.0 technologies for manufacturing organisations from emerging economies.