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Industry 4.0: What makes it a revolution? A historical framework to understand the phenomenon

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  • Klingenberg, Cristina Orsolin
  • Borges, Marco Antônio Viana
  • Antunes, José Antônio do Vale

Abstract

This paper takes a historical approach to analyse the Fourth Industrial Revolution, denominated Industry 4.0. Although its technologies are more evolutive than disruptive, their combination and gradual improvement promise significant impacts on the economy and society, thus characterising a veritable revolution. However, the pace of diffusion depends on profit expectation, competition intensity, the regulatory system, financial availability, demand, the labour market, and attitudes towards the new technologies. To enhance understanding of the phenomenon, we describe a framework with three contextual elements of the history of each revolution: technological complementarities, economic institutions, and social structure.

Suggested Citation

  • Klingenberg, Cristina Orsolin & Borges, Marco Antônio Viana & Antunes, José Antônio do Vale, 2022. "Industry 4.0: What makes it a revolution? A historical framework to understand the phenomenon," Technology in Society, Elsevier, vol. 70(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:teinso:v:70:y:2022:i:c:s0160791x22001506
    DOI: 10.1016/j.techsoc.2022.102009
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