Challenges and barriers in integrating Industry 4.0 and continuous improvement into an operational excellence plan

Abstract

The paper explores the barriers that impact operational excellence plans, when considering continuous improvement and Industry 4.0 practices. The paper is pioneering and transversal, considering organizations with different expertise, in 10 different countries. The study makes a joint quantitative and qualitative analysis and proposes a framework to show the impact on human resources and operations management. For this, it carries out a quali-quantitative study, carried out with the aid of a semi-structured questionnaire, sent to 91 organizations. The quantitative study was performed using interdependent multivariate analysis, resulting in an exploratory factorial study and exploration of principal components. The qualitative study evaluated propositions that impact operations management. The results show the variables that impact the operations management and human resources, in terms of quality, technologies and processes, when considering the implementation of an operational excellence plan and Industry 4.0 practices.