4.0 Industry: understanding the impact of technological changes of the fourth industrial revolution on competitiveness in sandal factories of Cariri Region

Abstract

New technologies are increasingly appearing to assist people in all areas. In the footwear industry it would not be different, where the industry 4.0 or fourth industrial revolution characterizes the current moment. This research examined how the managers of some sandal factories in the Cariri Region are realizing the changes and technological advances of industry 4.0 as a source of competitive advantage. A field research of a basic nature, with a qualitative and descriptive approach, where interviews were applied with the managers of sandal factories in the Region of Cariri, chosen for convenience and judgment of the researcher. The study is relevant due to the existence of great changes that have been taking place within the companies along with new technologies that are emerging, but it is not known how managers receive these changes and use them to benefit the company and in the search for a differential for competitive advantage in the market. At the end of the research it was possible to conclude that from the reality of each manager and company the way they receive and use the technologies of the fourth industrial revolution changes, and the lack of knowledge, structure, and money in the smaller companies makes the potential use competitive advantage is not so much taken advantage of.