Track: Operations Management

Abstract

The demand for quality in products and services has required companies to make great efforts to stand out in the
market. World-Class Manufacturing (WCM) seeks to boost these efforts by applying a set of tools associated with
continuous improvement processes, making companies unique in their markets. This study explores the impacts of the
WCM method on production processes, when related to technologies aimed at industry 4.0. It uses a multiple case
approach, for three market players, from totally different sectors: pharmaceutical, commodities and energy. The
analyzes suggest that the use of technologies from industry 4.0 with the WCM method can impact on production
processes, helping to develop continuous improvement practices that affect the strategic results of companies.