Putting digital technologies at the forefront of Industry 5.0 for the implementation of a circular economy in manufacturing industries

Together with a human-centered approach to designing and operating production and logistics in an industrial context, digital technologies can lead to a sustainable, resilient, and human-centric Industry 5.0 (I5.0). This article is one of the first interdisciplinary studies integrating digital technologies and circular economy (CE) concepts in I5.0. Using expert-based surveys of industry leaders and analytical hierarchical process techniques, the article advances CE and technology management by empirically investigating the influence of I5.0 on CE aspects in manufacturing. The novel results presented here can enable policymakers and industry leaders to design effective CE strategies

Modeling and analysis of challenges for industry 4.0 implementation in medical device industry to post COVID-19 scenario

Today, the health care and medical sector is adopting digital technologies aggressively. However, this adoption also has significant challenges, especially during COVID-19. This research aims to identify and categorize the significant challenges related with application of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies in the medical device industry. An expert-based survey is carried to capture the perception of medical device industry leaders about the challenges associated with the implementation of digital technologies. Further, interpretive structural modeling (ISM) method was used for an empirical investigation of the hierarchy and interdependencies of identified challenges. The authors have proposed a mind map and conceptual model of hierarchy and interdependencies of challenges associated with the digital transformation of the medical device industry towards I4.0. Industry leaders and policymakers worldwide are defying challenges while the digital transformation of the organizations post COVID-19. The I4.0 implementation challenges identified and categorized in this research may aid as a guide for medical device manufacturing organizations while designing a strategy for I4.0 transformation and to make sure that they start on the right -footing. Most of the existing work is focused on the advantages of I4.0 for managing the organization's post-COVID-19, lacks thoroughness and testing. Owing to the identified gap, this study intends to empirically identify the critical challenges associated with applying I4.0 technologies in the medical device manufacturing sector. This study is a pioneer in identifying and categorizing the vital challenges needed to deal with this critical situation. A potential area of future research can be the validation of the identified challenges with a larger sample size

Effectiveness of a national quality improvement programme to improve survival after emergency abdominal surgery (EPOCH): a stepped-wedge cluster-randomised trial

Background: Emergency abdominal surgery is associated with poor patient outcomes. We studied the effectiveness of a national quality improvement (QI) programme to implement a care pathway to improve survival for these patients. Methods: We did a stepped-wedge cluster-randomised trial of patients aged 40 years or older undergoing emergency open major abdominal surgery. Eligible UK National Health Service (NHS) hospitals (those that had an emergency general surgical service, a substantial volume of emergency abdominal surgery cases, and contributed data to the National Emergency Laparotomy Audit) were organised into 15 geographical clusters and commenced the QI programme in a random order, based on a computer-generated random sequence, over an 85-week period with one geographical cluster commencing the intervention every 5 weeks from the second to the 16th time period. Patients were masked to the study group, but it was not possible to mask hospital staff or investigators. The primary outcome measure was mortality within 90 days of surgery. Analyses were done on an intention-to-treat basis. This study is registered with the ISRCTN registry, number ISRCTN80682973. Findings: Treatment took place between March 3, 2014, and Oct 19, 2015. 22 754 patients were assessed for elegibility. Of 15 873 eligible patients from 93 NHS hospitals, primary outcome data were analysed for 8482 patients in the usual care group and 7374 in the QI group. Eight patients in the usual care group and nine patients in the QI group were not included in the analysis because of missing primary outcome data. The primary outcome of 90-day mortality occurred in 1210 (16%) patients in the QI group compared with 1393 (16%) patients in the usual care group (HR 1·11, 0·96–1·28). Interpretation: No survival benefit was observed from this QI programme to implement a care pathway for patients undergoing emergency abdominal surgery. Future QI programmes should ensure that teams have both the time and resources needed to improve patient care. Funding: National Institute for Health Research Health Services and Delivery Research Programme

Restarting manufacturing industries post COVID-19

This research aims to identify the critical challenges associated with restarting manufacturing organizations post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). The authors conducted an expert-based survey among various industry leaders of manufacturing organizations to capture a holistic view of business continuity plans and the associated challenges. The selected individuals are responsible for making business continuity policies and plans at their respective organizations. They were asked to reflect on their experience of the present-day challenges in managing business continuity in their organizations. Expert interviews were reflective and provided candid inputs. Consequently, the keywords of the experts' feedback were synthesized by using the mind map qualitative approach, which helps in the visualization of the critical challenges at an abstract level. Further, the interrelation between them and the significance of each critical challenge is evaluated using fuzzy theory with the decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL) technique. The findings of these evaluations will help to assess the existing policies/practices and to strengthen business continuity plans post-COVID-19. This study is a pioneering work that will help organizations to prepare action plans for kick-starting their broken-down economic engines

Putting digital technologies at the forefront of Industry 5.0 for the implementation of a circular economy in manufacturing industries

Together with a human-centered approach to designing and operating production and logistics in an industrial context, digital technologies can lead to a sustainable, resilient, and human-centric Industry 5.0 (I5.0). This paper is one of the first interdisciplinary studies integrating digital technologies and circular economy (CE) concepts in I5.0. Using expert-based surveys of industry leaders and analytical hierarchical process techniques advances the knowledge and theory of CE and technology management by empirically investigating the influence of I5.0 on CE aspects in manufacturing. The novel results presented here can enable policymakers and industry leaders to design effective CE strategies

Adopting new technology is a distant dream? The risks of implementing industry 4.0 in emerging economy SMEs

Manufacturing organisations worldwide are embracing Industry 4.0 (I4.0) and its associated technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Advanced Robotics, Big Data, and Cybersecurity. However, its implementation poses considerable risks for SMEs in emerging economies. Based on a survey of industry experts and business leaders associated with implementing I4.0 in the dynamically evolving economy of India, this paper identifies and prioritises the critical risks linked with implementing I4.0 in SMEs. Empirical results using the Fuzzy-Analytical Hierarchy Process suggest a hierarchy of risks associated with SMEs' transition to I4.0, with financial and technological risks posing the most significant barriers to I4.0 adoption. The novel results presented here can enable strategy development to effectively manage the risks of implementing new technologies in emerging economy contexts

Adopting new technology is a distant dream? The risks of implementing industry 4.0 in emerging economy SMEs

Manufacturing organisations worldwide are embracing Industry 4.0 (I4.0) and its associated technologies, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Advanced Robotics, Big Data, and Cybersecurity. However, its implementation poses considerable risks for SMEs in emerging economies. Based on a survey of industry experts and business leaders associated with implementing I4.0 in the dynamically evolving economy of India, this paper identifies and prioritises the critical risks linked with implementing I4.0 in SMEs. Empirical results using the Fuzzy-Analytical Hierarchy Process suggest a hierarchy of risks associated with SMEs' transition to I4.0, with financial and technological risks posing the most significant barriers to I4.0 adoption. The novel results presented here can enable strategy development to effectively manage the risks of implementing new technologies in emerging economy contexts

Are Industry 4.0 technologies enablers of lean? Evidence from manufacturing industries

Purpose: The study aims to propose a conceptual model indicating the impact of Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies on lean tools. Additionally, it prioritizes I4.0 technologies for the digital transformation of lean plants. Methodology: The authors conducted a questionnaire-based survey to capture the perception of 115 experts of manufacturing industries from Germany, India, Taiwan, and China. The impact of I4.0 on lean tools, using analysis of variance (ANOVA). Further, we drew a prioritization map of I4.0 on the employment of lean tools in manufacturing, using the Best-Worst Method (BWM). Findings: The findings indicate that cloud manufacturing, simulation, industrial internet of things, horizontal and vertical integration impact 100% of the lean tools, while both cyber-security. Big data analytics impact 93% of the lean tools, and advanced robotics impact 74% of the lean tools. On the other hand, it is observed that augmented reality and additive manufacturing will impact 21% and 14% of the lean tools, respectively. Originality and value: Studies exploring the influence of I4.0 on lean manufacturing lack comprehensiveness, testing, and validation. Importantly, no studies in the recent past have explored mapping and prioritizing I4.0 technologies in the ‘lean’ context. This study thereby attempts to establish a conceptual model, indicating the influence of I4.0 technologies on lean tools and presents the hierarchy of all digital technologies. Practical implications: The results of this study would help practitioners draw up a strategic plan and roadmap for implementing lean 4.0. The amalgamation of lean with I4.0 technologies in the right combination would enhance speed productivity and facilitate autonomous operations