A carregar...
Publicação
The Paradox Between Concept Knowledge and Digital Maturity Level for Industry 4.0: The Portuguese Case
| Nome: | Descrição: | Tamanho: | Formato: | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1.85 MB | Adobe PDF |
Orientador(es)
Resumo(s)
This study investigates the paradox between theoretical knowledge of the Industry 4.0 (I4.0) concept and the actual level of digital maturity observed in Portuguese industrial companies. Specifically, it examines whether companies’ awareness of I4.0, geographic location, and size influence their capacity to adopt and integrate digital technologies. Data were collected from a sample of 450 companies through a structured self-assessment questionnaire developed in collaboration with the Shift2Future consortium. The instrument evaluated the degree of familiarity with the I4.0 concept and the stage of digital maturity across different dimensions. The statistical analysis applied ordinal logistic regression models and chi-square tests to assess three hypotheses related to the potential influence of concept knowledge, regional distribution, and company size. The results reveal no statistically significant relationship between the tested variables and the level of digital maturity, suggesting that individual factors do not primarily drive digital advancement. Instead, the findings indicate that broader structural and strategic dimensions, such as leadership commitment, participation in support programs, availability of qualified human resources, and alignment with national and European digitalization agendas, are more decisive in determining companies’ digital readiness. These results challenge common assumptions in the literature, which often posit a direct relationship between company characteristics and technological integration. The study highlights the limited predictive power of isolated variables and highlights the importance of a systemic and integrated approach to promoting digital transformation. The findings contribute to academic and policy discussions by identifying the need for more comprehensive frameworks considering the complex interplay of internal capabilities and external enablers. Future research should expand this approach by including longitudinal and sector-specific analyses and qualitative data to explore internal organizational dynamics, leadership behaviour, and employee digital literacy. The data gained can support designing more effective and inclusive digital transition strategies for industrial firms in Portugal and similar European contexts.
Descrição
Palavras-chave
Concept Knowledge Digital Maturity Industry 4.0 Regional Disparities Portugal
Contexto Educativo
Citação
Editora
Licença CC
Sem licença CC