Industry 4.0 as an Enabler of Open Innovation

Abstract

A growing body of literature surrounds Open Innovation (OI) initiatives and Industry 4.0 (I4.0) technologies. However, despite the growing interest by academics, practitioners, and policymakers in both domains, the link between the two remains underinvestigated from an empirical point of view. This article addresses this gap in knowledge by leveraging 16 semistructured interviews with practitioners involved in both the I4.0 context and OI initiatives. This article provides two main contributions. First, it identifies a series of I4.0 technologies (e.g., Big Data, advanced manufacturing) enabling OI initiatives (e.g., crowdfunding, cocreation). Second, it identifies and examines the benefits and challenges of adopting such I4.0 technologies. The benefits include improved data management, reduced time to market, improved production phase, and increased client satisfaction. The challenges include the lack of capabilities, resistance to change, and security issues. The exploratory nature of this study triggers exciting future research opportunities about OI initiatives and I4.0 technologies.