Managing Implementation Issues in Industry 4.0: A soft Systems Methodology-based Approach

Implementing Industry 4.0 is hindered by the absence of a strategic focus on integrating digital technologies with traditional manufacturing. An inadequate Industry 4.0 implementation framework prevents practitioners from successfully transitioning to an Industry 4.0-enabled industrial environment. Thus, to achieve long-term Triple bottom line (TBL) benefits, the Industry 4.0 implementation framework should be carefully planned, designed, and aligned to effectively manage and optimize company resources (digital and physical infrastructure, human resources, technical processes, and technology systems). This paper proposes an Industry 4.0 framework to manage the key implementation issues using soft system methodology (SSM). A symptom map, rich picture, CATWOE for root definition, initial conceptual model, final implementable model, and Industry 4.0 implementation framework were developed from expert perspectives from multiple functional domains. The proposed framework consists of three main components: the implementation management system, which encompasses the technological framework system, recruitment and retention system, and governing system; the Industry 4.0 enabled manufacturing system; and the digital preparedness evaluation system. This paper offers a comprehensive understanding of the implementation issues linked with Industry 4.0 both at the organizational level and functional domain level.