On the Supply Chain in the Fourth Industrial Revolution

Master's Thesis , 2018 , 105 Pages , Grade: 80.00

Business economics - Supply, Production, Logistics

This paper addresses the question of how the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), defined as the industrial aspect of the fourth industrial revolution, will impact supply chain management (SCM) decisions. With this goal in mind, we first describe the conceptual and historical approaches of both the industry and supply chain management. The question of the legitimacy of a new industrial revolution is answered positively and the supply chain management discipline is organised in a flow-based model of ten managerial categories. A thorough cross-field literature analysis delivers the main changes, opportunities and challenges that the upcoming IIoT will bring to supply chains. A neutral approach is favoured and the generally optimistic literature regarding the IIoT is questioned. Cyber-physical systems will indeed redefine the way we provide goods and services to customers and therefore, the way entire supply chains are managed, strategically and operationally. More information, connectivity and intelligence will optimise operations to enable mass customisation and faster than ever times-to-market. Those changes will gradually transform supply chains into smart supply ecosystems, where inter-company boundaries will fade, and the nature of cooperation will evolve. Nonetheless, there is still a long way to go. Early implementations are challenged by issues of cybersecurity, interoperability, missing regulations, inter-company cooperation, cost of investment, and fear of change due to potential job restructuring. Our results are supplemented by qualitative surveys targeting SCM and IIoT professionals. This methodology is meant to discuss additional insights, detect contradictions with the literature and assess the current state of developments.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• List of Abbreviations
• Introduction
  • Motivations
  • Research questions
  • Limitations
• I Literature review
  • 1 The fourth industrial revolution
    • 1.1 Historical perspective on the industry
      • 1.1.1 The first industrial revolution: mechanisation
      • 1.1.2 The second industrial revolution: electric power.
      • 1.1.3 The third industrial revolution: automation
    • 1.2 The fourth industrial revolution . .
      • 1.2.1 Criteria I: technology and elements
      • 1.2.2 Criteria II: impact on economic systems
      • 1.2.3 Criteria III: impact on social structures
  • 2 Supply chain management
    • 2.1 Overview and concepts
    • 2.2 Historical perspective on supply chain management
    • 2.3 SCM model: categories and decisions
      • 2.3.1 Logistic network and operations strategy

  Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

  This paper investigates the potential impact of the Industrial Internet of Things (IoT), a defining aspect of the fourth industrial revolution, on supply chain management (SCM) decisions. It aims to understand how the IIoT will transform the way goods and services are delivered to customers and how entire supply chains are managed strategically and operationally.

  • The nature of the fourth industrial revolution and its defining characteristics.
  • The evolution of supply chain management and its key concepts.
  • The potential changes, opportunities, and challenges posed by the IIoT for supply chains.
  • The emergence of smart supply ecosystems and the evolving nature of inter-company collaboration.
  • The challenges and limitations of implementing IIoT in supply chains, including cybersecurity, interoperability, and cost of investment.

  Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

  The first chapter delves into the concept of the fourth industrial revolution, providing a historical perspective on industrial revolutions and outlining the key characteristics that define this new era. The chapter explores the criteria that define the fourth industrial revolution, examining its technological advancements, economic impact, and social implications. Chapter two provides an overview of supply chain management, examining its evolution and key concepts. It presents a framework for understanding supply chain management by categorizing managerial decisions into distinct areas such as logistic network and operations strategy.

  Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

  This paper focuses on the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), the fourth industrial revolution, supply chain management, smart supply ecosystems, inter-company cooperation, cybersecurity, interoperability, and cost of investment. The paper aims to understand the impact of the IIoT on supply chain management, explore the potential benefits and challenges, and analyze the role of emerging technologies in transforming the way goods and services are delivered to customers.

• College: Louvain School of Management
• Grade: 80.00
• Author: Lionel Willems (Author)
• Publication Year: 2018
• Pages: 105
• Catalog Number: V442762
• ISBN (eBook): 9783668821453
• ISBN (Book): 9783668821460
• Language: English
• Tags: Supply chain, operations, fourth industrial revolution, IIoT, IoT, internet of things, industrial internet of things, industry 4.0, industrie 4.0