AN ADVISORY SYSTEM TO SUPPORT INDUSTRY 4.0 READINESS IMPROVEMENT

Industry 4.0 requires companies to go through a complex transformation. Numerous maturity models offer to measure the readiness of an enterprise for the transition to a new operation mode. However, there is a lack of research efforts in developing an advisory tool for digital readiness improvement recommendations. This study aims to create a systematic approach for building an advisory decision support system based on Industry 4.0 Maturity Models. The development of the proposed system has gone through three stages, including analysis of the existing maturity models, reviewing the development methods of decision-support systems, and industrial interactions with manufacturing companies via the project online recommendation tool. The developed advisory system provides I4.0 readiness recommendations based on industry best practices, integration of recommendation databases with a maturity model, information filtration algorithm, and weight-based prioritisation of suggestions. Moreover, an interactive and user-friendly interface was developed to enable the user to utilise the system easily and efficiently

ANALYSIS OF TEXTILE MANUFACTURING SMES IN KAZAKHSTAN FOR INDUSTRY 4.0

Industry 4.0 is a concept which majorly changes the industries, enterprises, the whole way of doing traditional business by transforming existing business models. However, not all developing countries are keeping up with the time, therefore many industries may leave behind. This research aims to study one of the promising but not investigated sectors of Kazakhstan as textile. Textile took the main share (60%) in Kazakhstan's light industry and is considered one of the well-growing sectors, which can become one of the major contributors to the Kazakhstan economy. The main focus of the study will be oriented to SMEs in that sector, as SMEs present almost 97% of all businesses in the country. The goal of the study is to analyze the current status of industry companies via the developed maturity assessment model. As well, to investigate their digitization state; identify common strengths and weaknesses; draw out the possibilities that digital technologies may bring to the sector, and conclude by recommendations to improve the sector. The findings during this study can be useful for researchers, governmental organizations and policymakers, and all other interested parties

EFFECT OF LEAN4.0 ON SUSTAINABILITY PERFORMANCE: A REVIEW

The high consumption of natural resources and their scarcity made sustainability a buzzword and one of the main concerns of society. Based on current research, Lean production and Industry 4.0 strategies are promising in this regard. They argue to offer cost and time efficiency, labor productivity increase, and other benefits. In the literature, there are works on separate effects of Lean and Industry 4.0 on Sustainability, as well as high compatibility between Industry 4.0 and Lean, where one strategy comprehends the use of another. Only a few articles consider the integrated effect and mostly lack empirical validation. This paper aims to address this gap by conducting a systematic literature review on both separate and integrated effects of Lean and Industry 4.0 (Lean 4.0) on three pillars of sustainability (economic, environmental, social). Additionally, several sustainability indicators as differentiation factors are formed and presented as a checklist to assess the effect of Lean and Industry 4.0 concepts. The findings reveal that Lean and Industry 4.0 has a somewhat uncertain or twofold correlation with sustainability, where Lean 4.0 has a strong positive correlation. The results of the study can be used by researchers for another large-scale research that empirically validates the developed hypothesis and by managers in the strategy development and decision-making processes

INDUSTRY 4.0: CHALLENGES AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR KAZAKHSTAN SMES

Industry 4.0 concept is one of the growing concepts worldwide for the last five years. It combines the physical and digital world, thus creating new capabilities which affect not only the manufacturing industry but to all other sectors and organizations. Furthermore, many experts worldwide declare that Industry 4.0 will have a substantially positive impact, especially in developing countries, where low-paid jobs are concentrated. After facing the social and economic effects of Coronavirus (Covid-19) global pandemic, the introduction of digitalization and moving toward Industry 4.0 has become not only emerging but essential for every industry, including SMEs. It is expected that it will help to improve the flexibility, productivity, and sustainability of the industries, to develop a knowledge-based economy and society, and, thus, enhance the quality of life. Therefore, this paper aims to analyze the emerging concept of Industry 4.0, impacts and applicability on SMEs, and, in particular, the readiness of SMEs in Kazakhstan to digitization and Industry 4.0. The gap in research, which exists currently about drivers, challenges, barriers, and opportunities specific for SMEs in Kazakhstan for moving towards Industry 4.0, will also be investigated

ASSESSMENT OF INDUSTRY 4.0 MATURITY MODELS BY DESIGN PRINCIPLES

The fourth industrial revolution and accompanying digital transformation has progressed dramatically in recent years. The new digital revolution, mostly known as Industry 4.0, introduces impressive changes in the way enterprises and organizations are operating in a globalized world and altering the well-established lifestyle of a society. Therefore, it is of utmost importance to identify the current capabilities of companies in the context of Industry 4.0. Current literature on Industry 4.0 maturity and assessment models underlies the importance of a proper development strategy with exact steps to perform. Design principles address the issue of systematizing the measurable and attainable steps for further development. The present study contributes towards the identification of the research gap in the presence of core Industry 4.0 design principles during the development of maturity models. The analysis of 12 chosen maturity models by eight core design principles was provided. This research can serve as a starting point for the development of a complex strategic roadmap and thereby to provide a successful transition from traditional manufacturing into Industry 4.0

IMPACT OF MODULE DEGRADATION ON THE VIABILITY OF ON-GRID PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS IN MEDITERRANEAN CLIMATE: THE CASE OF SHYMKENT AIRPORT

This paper presents the techno-economic feasibility analysis of an on-grid Photovoltaic Solar System (PVSS) subject to Mediterranean climate aging effects. The PVSS under study is considered installed on the roof of Shymkent airport, located in southern Kazakhstan. A PVSS performance degradation rate of 1.48%-per-annun was considered according to the Mediterranean climate prevailing in the location. A 25-year life-cycle cost analysis comparing the rated vs. de-rated on-grid PVSS led to a positive Net Present Value (NPV), a less than 9-year equity payback, and favorable internal rate of return (IRR) and Benefit-to-Cost (B-C) ratio in both conditions. However, the de-rated PVSS system underperformed in 16.2%, 43.5% and 20% the IRR, NPV and B-C ratio, respectively. The analysis demonstrates that despite the expected performance degradation associated to climatic aging, a convenient feed-in tariff (FIT) and attractive financial conditions, such as those present in Kazakhstan, conform a robust setting to promote on-grid PVSS in the country

Impact of One- and Two-axis Solar Tracking on Techno-Economic Viability of On-Grid PV Systems: Case of Burnoye-1, Kazakhstan

Kazakhstan is currently committed to develop its renewable energy resources. In 2012, the government introduced a low-carbon energy strategy to reduce the production of air pollutants, including anthropogenic CO2e, and to increase the share of clean energy up to 50% of total consumption by 2050. As a contribution to this strategy, this paper presents a comparison in techno-economic performance of three scenarios. The differentiation will be between currently implemented fixed-slope on-grid PV power plants in Kazakhstan and proxy similar solar parks using one- or two-axis solar tracking systems. This paper aims to determine to what extent the more effective, but more expensive tracking systems might be a suitable standard in future PV power stations in the country. For this purpose, the existent fixed-slope 50 MWp Burnoye-1 commercial solar power plant located in Jambyl region, Kazakhstan, is used as a benchmark. As expected, solar panels with tracking systems produce more electricity year-round compared to those with fixed slopes. In comparison, one- and two-axis tracking systems led almost to the same amount of electricity export to the grid. Furthermore, despite the proxy PV power stations with one- and two-axis tracking technology could reduce around 10 ktCO2e emissions per year. This 25 to 29% and 33 to 33% ratio of extra-cost to extra-energy production, respectively, made both tracking scenarios not economically competitive compared to fixed panels. Nevertheless, if a tracking system has to be considered to further reduce GHG emissions and add extra annual electricity generation using current installed capacity of Burnoye-I, our results demonstrated that one-axis tracking should be preferred above two-axis system. &nbsp

CRITICAL FACTORS OF INDUSTRY 4.0 IMPLEMENTATION IN AN EMERGING COUNTRY: EMPIRICAL STUDY

The concept of Industry 4.0 is becoming more and more popular all over the world. The implementation of its assumptions in business practice changes the way companies operate. The enormous innovative potential of the Industry 4.0 concept and the intensive use of processes based on the implementation of advanced technologies in its assumptions have an impact on various industries in each country. The article attempts to analyze the critical factors for the implementation of Industry 4.0 in Kazakhstan. Primary and secondary data sources were used for this purpose. The majority of existing government initiatives and reports do not reflect the actual situation. Additionally, these materials do not always represent the experiences or positions of all the parties involved. Opinions of companies and organizations implementing Industry 4.0 solutions remain unexplored. The primary goal of the paper is to fill the cognitive gap by analyzing stakeholder responses and identifying the actual level of their awareness of the development of Industry 4.0. An additional intention of the authors was to empirically establish barriers that companies face while implementing the most desirable technologies, as well as to establish other critical factors, taking into account the specificity of the country under study. The results of the research can be used by policymakers, scientists and other stakeholders to develop forecasts and strategic plans, as well as to develop and conduct further research on the implementation processes of Industry 4.0 in Kazakhstan

INDUSTRY 4.0: CLUSTERING OF CONCEPTS AND CHARACTERISTICS

The Fourth Industrial Revolution, also known as Industry 4.0, stems from the rapid advancement of digital technologies such as the Internet of Things and Cyber-Physical Production Systems. It has the potential to weave positive changes to firms and impact organizational structure layers. Therefore, it provides an impetus for the collaboration of factories, suppliers, and customers. Nevertheless, due to the difference of Industry 4.0 vision among companies, there is a lack of unified perception and approach of its implementation roadmap. Therefore, many firms in both developed and developing countries that step in the way of digital transformation encounter not only organizational, technological, and operational challenges but are also compelled to cope with a large deal of confusion. Hence, this paper aims to identify the main concepts, characteristics, and technology enablers related to Industry 4.0 to provide stakeholders with a clear understanding of this paradigm. It then clusters and matches the derived concepts and characteristics associated with Industry 4.0. Further, the paper provides an analysis of how these clusters are supported by technology enablers of Industry 4.0, as well as managerial implications

Facilitating Circular Economy Strategies Using Digital Construction Tools: Framework Development

The construction sector has undergone several transformations to address adverse environmental, economic, and social impacts. The concept of the circular economy (CE) has transcended into this domain to solve the needs of construction amid resource constraints. Furthermore, advanced digital tools are being implemented across industries owing to the boost given by the fourth industrial revolution. This paper aims to develop a framework that investigates the effect of digital tools on CE implementation in the construction sector. The study is based on a three-step approach, where first, an initial framework design based on a systematic literature review was conducted. This is followed by framework optimization using semistructured interviews with experts and validation through a case study. This study resulted in the development of a new framework, which aims to investigate how advanced digital tools can be used in the construction sector to enhance CE implementation. The contribution of the present study is two-fold: (1) the integration (addressing existing research gap) of CE and digitalization concepts in the construction sector; (2) an investigation into the critical barriers, offering insights for construction practitioners