Industry 4.0 dislocations in small and medium enterprises: A supply chain management view

Overview & Synopsis

Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are widely acknowledged for their contribution to economic growth and development and continue to draw sustained interest from policymakers and academics. Despite their importance, SMEs remain vulnerable to major shocks and rapid technological change, particularly the advancements associated with Industry 4.0 (also referred to as the Fourth Industrial Revolution). Many SMEs lack the financial and technical capacity to assess, adopt and integrate these emerging technologies effectively. This book addresses these challenges by demonstrating how SMEs can leverage supply chains as a strategic source of resilience, competitive advantage and technological adaptation. It argues that embedding SMEs within the supply chains in which they operate is essential for navigating the complex technology landscape of Industry 4.0. Instead of viewing themselves as passive observers of technological disruption, SMEs should recognise their potential to become active participants – and even leaders – in increasingly digital supply chain ecosystems. The book consists of 10 chapters of original scholarly work, covering themes such as intelligent manufacturing (IM), blockchain technology (BCT), augmented and virtual reality, digital supply chain transformation and SME resilience. It is one of the few works that integrates the often siloed discussions of Industry 4.0, supply chain dynamics and SME development.