An Assessment of the Implementation of Industry 4.0 in Zimbabwean Manufacturing Industries

Abstract

The advent of technological development and integration of many fields including digital, physical and biological systems are key to the success of the Fourth Industrial Revolution,(FIR). Embracing of industry 4.0 by organizations is the key to global competitiveness and on the contrary, failure to adopt FIR may cause countries to lag behind in terms of economic development. The current studies have not fully covered on the use as well as levels of industry 4.0 implementation within developing countries. Most developed countries have put in place public policies that focus on implementing industry 4.0 in their respective countries. This means that it becomes critical, if not imperative, that developing countries like Zimbabwe also take steps to adapt industry 4.0 so as to remain relevant and competitive in the global economy as well as not be adversely affected by these technologies if not adopted. Zimbabwe, like most developing countries encounters a lot of problems in its endeavor to fully implement FIR technologies such as lack of commitment, infrastructure and lack of skilled workers. The objective of this study is to assess the implementation levels of industry 4.0 in Zimbabwean Manufacturing Industries, identify and discuss the challenges as well as issues faced by the organizations as well as coming up with recommendations in the implementation of industry 4.0 framework.