Do the Owners and Managers of Polish MSME’s Recognize and Understand Properly the Challenges of “Industry 4.0”?

Abstract

In the article, the author presents in an expanded approach the results of previously conducted research, described in his previous publications and aimed at understanding the needs and capabilities of Polish micro, small and medium sized enterprises (MSMEs) in recognizing challenges and implementing practical solutions from the area fitted to of the Industry 4.0 paradigm. In addition to the detailed and based on selected examples discussion of the results of the first round of surveys conducted among the owners and management staff of this category of enterprises operating in the area of the Upper Silesian – Zagłębie Metropolis in the Upper Silesian Voivodship, the results obtained in the second round of research were also shown and compared with first-round results. The results obtained are the basis for the plan of further, extended research. The author presents the elements of such research plan in the last part of this article.