Enabling industry 4.0: Assessing technologies and prioritization framework for agile manufacturing in India

Abstract

This paper delves into the integration of Industry 4.0 technologies in the manufacturing sector, providing a framework tailored for adoption in India, a rapidly advancing digital economy. The current literature does not go into detail on industry 4.0 technology in the context of agile manufacturing. Addressing this critical gap in the literature, we identify 15 criteria across six categories, leveraging the entropy method to compute their weights. We prioritize Industry 4.0 technologies in the context of agile manufacturing using a comprehensive analysis that employs the TOPSIS and Fuzzy DEMATEL methodologies. Results indicate that cybersecurity, Cloud, and the Internet of Things (IoT) are the most commonly used technologies in agile manufacturing. The fuzzy DEMATEL-based framework identifies cybersecurity, Big data, Cloud, simulation, augmented reality, and IoT as ‘cause’ technologies, while additive manufacturing, robotics, mobile devices, and systems integration are identified as ‘effect’ technologies. The paper proposes practical strategies for managers in India to facilitate the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies, thereby enhancing firms' agility in the digital age. By highlighting the specific technologies critical to agile manufacturing, our study not only addresses a notable gap in the literature but also provides a roadmap for their practical implementation, empowering businesses to thrive in an increasingly digitalized landscape.