Abstract
The era of Industry 4.0 is characterized by the use of new telecommunications ICT technologies and networking of the economy. This results in changes both in the way businesses operate and in customer expectations of products offered on the market. The use of modern ICT technologies has made it possible to create cyber-physical systems based on intelligent machines and devices that communicate with each other in real time and allow the integration of resources from different companies to carry out joint production projects. Today’s consumer expects products tailored to their needs and expectations. These expectations can be met by leveraging the potential of highly specialized manufacturing service companies centered around e-business platforms. The article presents the results of research using bibliometric analysis and the results of surveys conducted among small and medium-sized enterprises. The concept of e-business platforms supporting rapid prototyping of temporary networks of companies capable of manufacturing personalized products in the environment of Industry 4.0 is presented. The task of the platform is to integrate a customer expecting personalized production with a network of companies having adequate production resources.
Highlights
The Fourth Industrial Revolution introduces new changes in industry, economy and society [1]
In the further part of the analysis, the search was narrowed down to articles in which the authors indicated as keywords (AK): industrial networks, SME and Industry 4.0, which guarantees the concentration of the article around this specific topic
The research area of SMEs is the largest, the issues of industrial networks and Industry 4.0 are rarely addressed in relation to SMEs; this indicates a definite research gap
Summary
The Fourth Industrial Revolution introduces new changes in industry, economy and society [1]. The combination of industrial technologies with modern information and communication technologies (ICT) is the basis of concept proposed by German experts called Industry 4.0 (I 4.0) [2] This concept is the result of the need to increase the level of industrial production in Western Europe (independence from production coming from the markets of the Middle East) on the one hand, and on the other hand the opportunities offered by the process of digitization and networking of the economy [3]. Social networks and unlimited access to information increase consumers’ awareness, which results in their growing requirements from products offered on the market [5] In this case, a modern and innovative approach is needed in the production management of both the enterprise and the network of enterprises that will radically increase flexibility, productivity and customer orientation [6]. This view clarifies the core identity of Industry 4.0, the intended outcome of Industry 4.0, and the stability of this intended outcome” [7]
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