Why Does Technology Policy around Industry 4.0 Continue to Draw its Logic from 1960s Diffusion Models?

Ivory, Chris and Walsh, Lewis (2021) Why Does Technology Policy around Industry 4.0 Continue to Draw its Logic from 1960s Diffusion Models? In: 2021 26th IEEE International Conference on Emerging Technologies and Factory Automation (ETFA), Vasteras, Sweden.

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Abstract

In this article we argue that established thinking around the slow adoption of industry 4.0 amongst small and medium manufacturing enterprises (SMEs) in the North Sea Region requires further reflection and re-formulation. It is argued that the diffusion metaphor presently shaping thinking around policy intervention overly focuses attention on firm characteristics and behaviour while focusing too little attention on the specific strategic economic context(s) within which firms make adoption decisions. This article highlights two contextual aspects that shape firm strategic choices: interpretative flexibility and uncertainty about further future technology change.

Item Type:	Conference or Workshop Item (Paper)
Keywords:	Engineering, Industry 4.0, Technology Policy, Diffusion of Technology
Faculty:	Faculty of Business & Law
SWORD Depositor:	Symplectic User
Depositing User:	Symplectic User
Date Deposited:	06 May 2022 10:50
Last Modified:	31 May 2022 16:18
URI:	https://arro.anglia.ac.uk/id/eprint/707557

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