Industry 4.0 opportunities in manufacturing SMEs: Sustainability outlook

Peter Onu, Charles Mbohwa

Research output: Contribution to journalConference articlepeer-review

88 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Nascent technological innovation is fast advancing, with a promise to reach the most primitive corners of the earth. Industry operations are also fast-changing. Thus, the introduction, and implementation of the different Industry 4.0 (4IR) technologies such as the cyber-physical systems (CSP), big data analytics, 3-D printing, and the Internet of Things (IoT), etc., hold great potential to pilot sustainable manufacturing. The present article explores the opportunities and challenges of 4IR implementation for sustainable manufacturing practices to promote SMEs' operational performances, and future decision to promulgate techno-innovativeness, specifically in Africa. This research aims to benefit organizational effectiveness practitioners and policy strategists within private and public parastatals to proffer industrial solutions that will promote the integration of emerging technologies and sustainable value chain businesses.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1925-1930
Number of pages6
JournalMaterials Today: Proceedings
Volume44
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021
Event11th International Conference on Materials Processing and Characterization - Indore, India
Duration: 15 Dec 202017 Dec 2020

Keywords

  • Emerging technologies
  • Industry 4.0
  • SMEs
  • Sustainable manufacturing
  • Technology innovation

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Materials Science

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