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  • Open Access
  • © 2020

Industry 4.0 for SMEs

Challenges, Opportunities and Requirements

Palgrave Macmillan
  • Examines how the SME 4.0 concept can be implemented
  • Provides a mix of research studies with best practice case studies
  • Provides examples of successful implementations focusing on digital solutions

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Hardcover Book USD 31.00
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Table of contents (13 chapters)

  1. Front Matter

    Pages i-xxxv
  2. Introduction to Industry 4.0 for SMEs

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 1-1
  3. Industry 4.0 Concepts for Smart Manufacturing in SMEs

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 37-37
    2. SME Requirements and Guidelines for the Design of Smart and Highly Adaptable Manufacturing Systems

      • Erwin Rauch, Andrew R. Vickery, Christopher A. Brown, Dominik T. Matt
      Pages 39-72Open Access
    3. The Opportunities and Challenges of SME Manufacturing Automation: Safety and Ergonomics in Human–Robot Collaboration

      • Luca Gualtieri, Ilaria Palomba, Erich J. Wehrle, Renato Vidoni
      Pages 105-144Open Access
  4. Industry 4.0 Concepts for Smart Logistics in SMEs

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 145-145
    2. Requirement Analysis for the Design of Smart Logistics in SMEs

      • Patrick Dallasega, Manuel Woschank, Helmut Zsifkovits, Korrakot Tippayawong, Christopher A. Brown
      Pages 147-162Open Access
    3. Consistent Identification and Traceability of Objects as an Enabler for Automation in the Steel Processing Industry

      • Helmut Zsifkovits, Johannes Kapeller, Hermann Reiter, Christian Weichbold, Manuel Woschank
      Pages 163-192Open Access
    4. State-of-the-Art Analysis of the Usage and Potential of Automation in Logistics

      • Helmut Zsifkovits, Manuel Woschank, Sakgasem Ramingwong, Warisa Wisittipanich
      Pages 193-212Open Access
  5. Industry 4.0 Managerial, Organizational and Implementation Issues

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 213-213
    2. Development of an Organizational Maturity Model in Terms of Mass Customization

      • Vladimír Modrák, Zuzana Šoltysová
      Pages 215-250Open Access
    3. Implementing Industry 4.0 in SMEs: A Focus Group Study on Organizational Requirements

      • Guido Orzes, Robert Poklemba, Walter T. Towner
      Pages 251-277Open Access
    4. Smart SME 4.0 Implementation Toolkit

      • Apichat Sopadang, Nilubon Chonsawat, Sakgasem Ramingwong
      Pages 279-302Open Access
  6. Case Studies and Methodical Tools for Implementing Industry 4.0 in SMEs

    1. Front Matter

      Pages 303-303
    2. The Digitization of Quality Control Operations with Cloud Platform Computing Technologies

      • Kamil Židek, Vladimír Modrák, Ján Pitel, Zuzana Šoltysová
      Pages 305-334Open Access
    3. Implementation of a Laboratory Case Study for Intuitive Collaboration Between Man and Machine in SME Assembly

      • Luca Gualtieri, Rafael A. Rojas, Manuel A. Ruiz Garcia, Erwin Rauch, Renato Vidoni
      Pages 335-382Open Access
    4. Axiomatic Design for Products, Processes, and Systems

      • Christopher A. Brown
      Pages 383-401Open Access
  7. Back Matter

    Pages 403-412

About this book

This open access book explores the concept of Industry 4.0, which presents a considerable challenge for the production and service sectors. While digitization initiatives are usually integrated into the central corporate strategy of larger companies, smaller firms often have problems putting Industry 4.0 paradigms into practice. Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) possess neither the human nor financial resources to systematically investigate the potential and risks of introducing Industry 4.0. Addressing this obstacle, the international team of authors focuses on the development of smart manufacturing concepts, logistics solutions and managerial models specifically for SMEs. Aiming to provide methodological frameworks and pilot solutions for SMEs during their digital transformation, this innovative and timely book will be of great use to scholars researching technology management, digitization and small business, as well as practitioners within manufacturing companies.

Editors and Affiliations

  • Faculty of Science and Technology, Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Bolzano, Italy

    Dominik T. Matt

  • Department of Manufacturing Management, Technical University of Košice, Prešov, Slovakia

    Vladimír Modrák

  • Chair of Industrial Logistics, Montanuniversität Leoben, Leoben, Austria

    Helmut Zsifkovits

About the editors

Dominik T. Matt holds the Chair for Production Systems and Technologies and heads the Industrial Engineering and Automation (IEA) research department in the Faculty of Science and Technology at the Free University of Bozen-Bolzano, Italy. Dominik is also the Director of Fraunhofer Italia, the largest applied research organization in Europe.

Vladimír Modrák is Professor of Manufacturing Technology at the Technical University of Kosice in Slovakia, where he previously studied. His research interests include cellular manufacturing design, mass-customized manufacturing and planning, and scheduling optimization. Since 2015 he has been a Fellow of the European Academy for Industrial Management (AIM).   

Helmut Zsifkovits is Professor of Industrial Logistics at Montanuniversitaet Leoben, Austria, having previously studied at the University of Graz, Austria. His research interests revolve around logistics systems engineering, supply chain strategy and operations management. As well as teaching at universities in Austria, Latvia, Colombia and Germany, Helmut has professional experience in the automotive industry, logistics consultancy and IT.


Bibliographic Information

  • Book Title: Industry 4.0 for SMEs

  • Book Subtitle: Challenges, Opportunities and Requirements

  • Editors: Dominik T. Matt, Vladimír Modrák, Helmut Zsifkovits

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-25425-4

  • Publisher: Palgrave Macmillan Cham

  • eBook Packages: Business and Management, Business and Management (R0)

  • Copyright Information: The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s) 2020

  • Hardcover ISBN: 978-3-030-25424-7Published: 30 January 2020

  • Softcover ISBN: 978-3-030-25427-8Published: 30 August 2021

  • eBook ISBN: 978-3-030-25425-4Published: 03 January 2020

  • Edition Number: 1

  • Number of Pages: XXXV, 412

  • Number of Illustrations: 18 b/w illustrations, 83 illustrations in colour

  • Topics: Innovation/Technology Management, Small Business, Big Data/Analytics

Buy it now

Buying options

Softcover Book USD 29.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Compact, lightweight edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info
Hardcover Book USD 31.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • Durable hardcover edition
  • Dispatched in 3 to 5 business days
  • Free shipping worldwide - see info

Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout

Other ways to access