Track: Graduate Student Paper Competition

Abstract

Industry 4.0 technologies are transforming manufacturing worldwide. Many companies struggle to successfully implement these technologies. To drive successful implementation, it is useful to understand Industry 4.0 technology applications and successful strategies. Industry 4.0 technologies utilize data and successful applications must involve data collection and management, data analytics, and automation. The value proposition of Industry 4.0 is in turning data into usable information in such a way as to improve business results. Review of case studies shows that quality applications are common cases of success for Industry 4.0 technologies. The data driven nature of Industry 4.0 lends itself to the skills of quality professionals. Taking a quality driven approach to implementation may be a successful strategy for those businesses with quality as a strategic focus for competitive success. Quality professionals already in possession of data skills and continuous improvement mindsets are well suited to drive digital transformation. A model for a Quality 4.0 implementation strategy is developed through thematic analysis of the literature on Industry 4.0 and case study analysis of successful Industry 4.0 implementations.