Industry 4.0 tool application: Integration of TAM and TTF model perspective

The fourth industrial revolution, also known as Industry 4.0 drives industrial automation of plant's processes to enhance productivity. The fast pace growth of technology and maturity of plant's processing technology have actually triggered the fourth industrial revolution. Advanced systems under Industry 4.0 architecture comprises of hardware, software, electronics, machines and equipments, all working together in a synchronised manner to meet the common organisation goals. Industry 4.0 affirms the ability to build dynamic capabilities in an organisation and beat market competition. The use of Industry 4.0 tool application is complex and requires additional knowledge and special skill sets, thus lowering the interest of companies towards adoption of Industry 4.0 projects. There is hardly any evidence in existing literature on the technology maturity level of Industry 4.0 tool. Also there is limited literature on smart factory task and Industry 4.0 technology fit. The current study aims to eliminate the void in existing literature by integrating Industry 4.0 Technology Acceptance Model (TAM) and Industry 4.0 Task-Technology Fit (TTF) model. Using samples drawn from South African companies the theoretical framework can further be statistically validated and new insights can be generated.