Munasinghe, Buddhi Rajini, Ali, Abdul ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3034-8628, Habib, Farooq and Khan, Murtaza Farooq (2025) Adopting Industry 4.0 technologies in the UK manufacturing supply chains. In: Kumar, Pawan, Dadwal, Sumesh, Verma, Rajesh and Kumar, Sunil, (eds.) Digital Transformation for Business Sustainability and Growth in Emerging Markets. Emerald Publishing Limited, Leeds, pp. 135-170. ISBN 978-1835491102; 978-1835491096 (doi:10.1108/978-1-83549-109-620251006)

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Abstract

Purpose/Aim
This study aims to investigate how the supply chain (SC) experts from the UK manufacturing organisations (MO) interpret the drivers and barriers to adopting Industry 4.0 technologies from a technological, organisational and environmental (TOE) point of view. Furthermore, this study evaluates how adoption drivers and barriers influence innovative practices that support Industry 4.0 adoption.
Methodology
A qualitative narrative inquiry strategy, involving nine semi-structured interviews with leading SC experts including group executives, global directors and vice presidents was adopted.
Key Findings
The people factor across the SC is found critical for successful Industry 4.0 adoption. It was also found that the firm size is an insignificant factor; rather, Industry 4.0 readiness in small and medium enterprises (SMEs) is driven by flexibility and agility, while larger organisations are driven by resource availability and scalability. Evidently, the culture and attitude of the MO tend to facilitate or hinder the Industry 4.0 adoption, therefore, innovative practices in building an expert team, establishing a systematic change management process, actively involving suppliers in the adoption process and continuously monitoring the adoption process were introduced.
Novelty
By addressing the relationships between the drivers, barriers and innovative practices from a business perspective, a detailed Industry 4.0 adoption framework for the UK Manufacturing Supply Chains (MSC) was developed as a unique theoretical and practical contribution. This study also highlights the lessons learnt from applying Industry 4.0 in the UK context. The findings can also be informed in applying Industry 4.0 technologies in emerging market contexts.

Item Type:	Book Section
Additional Information:	'This author accepted manuscript is deposited under a Creative Commons Attribution Non-commercial 4.0 International (CC BY-NC) licence. This means that anyone may distribute, adapt, and build upon the work for non-commercial purposes, subject to full attribution. If you wish to use this manuscript for commercial purposes, please visit Marketplace'.
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Industry 4.0 technologies, supply chain management, manufacturing, digital transformation, emerging market, SMEs, UK
Subjects:	H Social Sciences > H Social Sciences (General) H Social Sciences > HD Industries. Land use. Labor > HD28 Management. Industrial Management T Technology > T Technology (General)
Faculty / School / Research Centre / Research Group:	Greenwich Business School Greenwich Business School > Networks and Urban Systems Centre (NUSC) Greenwich Business School > Networks and Urban Systems Centre (NUSC) > Connected Cities Research Group (CCRG) Greenwich Business School > School of Business, Operations and Strategy
Last Modified:	10 Mar 2025 15:53
URI:	http://gala.gre.ac.uk/id/eprint/49967

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