Make-in-India and Industry 4.0: technology readiness of select firms, barriers and socio-technical implications

• Published in: TQM journal 2022-11, Vol.34 (6), p.1485-1505
• Main Authors: Goswami, Mohit, Daultani, Yash
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Augmentation; Cyber-physical systems; Empirical analysis; Factories; Industrial applications; Industry 4.0; Infrastructure; Innovations; Internet of Things; Manufacturing; Operations management; Paradigms; Personnel selection; Project management; Segments; Small & medium sized enterprises-SME; Social factors; Supply chains; Sustainable development; Technology utilization; Total quality
• ISSN: 1754-2731; 1754-274X
• DOI: 10.1108/TQM-06-2021-0179

PurposeIn this research, the emphasis is multifold. First objective is to study differences amongst India's Make-in-India, Germany's Industry 4.0 and China's Made-in-China 2025 on a macro level. Second objective is to identify where does individual industry segment out of the five broad segments (prioritized by Make-in-India initiative) represented by ten firms in India stand in terms of adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies. Third objective is to identify key barriers for each of these five industry segments. Finally, socio-technical interventions are also proposed aimed at faster adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies.Design/methodology/approachA mixed methodological approach is followed to achieve the research objectives. First, for the macro-level comparison of three pertinent countries, extant research and industry literature have been relied upon. Thereafter, at a micro level, inputs from experts belonging to focal sectors are included in this study to ascertain the current level of readiness of adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies and the barriers to adoption. Finally, the authors argue for and propose some socio-technical interventions that are aimed at mitigation of barriers for adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies.FindingsIt has been ascertained that amongst the ten firms (two each from given focal sectors) considered in the study, the automotive and the software firm are perhaps best placed to adopt the Industry 4.0 technology, while the infrastructure project management firm is least ready for Industry 4.0 technologies. The common barriers to adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies, as elaborated by experts belonging to each of the ten firms, are also identified. These three commons barriers are resistance to change, unclear economic benefits and problems related to coordination and collaboration.Research limitations/implicationsThe study is one of first attempts to understand the nuances related to technology readiness across focal industries pertaining to the Make-in-India initiative and Industry 4.0. The study furthers the extant understanding of common and distinct barriers across industries. Employing the soft-systems methodology, the study advocates for a number of socio-technical interventions pertaining to establishment of e-skill ecosystem, community learning clusters and sector-focussed skill acquisition and augmentation. Since the study considers only two firms corresponding to each of the five focal sectors, including more firms acro