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Industry 4.0 Implementation in B2B Companies: Cross-Country Empirical Evidence on Digital Transformation in the CEE Region

Author

Listed:
  • Roland Zs. Szabo

    (Strategic Management Department, Corvinus University of Budapest, 1093 Budapest, Hungary)

  • Iva Vuksanović Herceg

    (Faculty of Economics, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)

  • Robert Hanák

    (Faculty of Business Management, University of Economics in Bratislava, 852 35 Bratislava, Slovakia)

  • Lilla Hortovanyi

    (Strategic Management Department, Corvinus University of Budapest, 1093 Budapest, Hungary)

  • Anita Romanová

    (Faculty of Business Management, University of Economics in Bratislava, 852 35 Bratislava, Slovakia)

  • Marian Mocan

    (Faculty of Management in Production and Transportation, Politehnica University Timisoara, 300191 Timisoara, Romania)

  • Dragan Djuričin

    (Faculty of Economics, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia)

Abstract

Previous research has pointed out that Industry 4.0 will lead to more sustainable production; however, it may have profound effects on European competitiveness. Today, firms in the CEE countries face a limited scope for continued economic expansion, and hence there is a growing pressure on them to move upward in the global value chain by investing heavily in advanced technology. Consequently, the authors argue that B2B firms from the CEE countries can have a massive impact on Europe’s long-term competitiveness by reversing the effect of digital transformation due to their strong interdependencies on other European economies. Therefore, in a cross-country survey, research data were collected ( n = 302) about the driving forces, barriers, and role of stakeholders in the implementation of digital transformations. The authors found that some technologies are implemented much more frequently compared to others, with some indication for country specialization. The leading driving force is customer satisfaction followed by productivity and financial motives. Shortage of skilled human resources and high implementation costs are the main barriers. The firms tend to rely on universities and research centers, while the government is perceived only as a financial provider. The results are also informative for practitioners and policymakers—providing them with benchmarks.

Suggested Citation

  • Roland Zs. Szabo & Iva Vuksanović Herceg & Robert Hanák & Lilla Hortovanyi & Anita Romanová & Marian Mocan & Dragan Djuričin, 2020. "Industry 4.0 Implementation in B2B Companies: Cross-Country Empirical Evidence on Digital Transformation in the CEE Region," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(22), pages 1-20, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:12:y:2020:i:22:p:9538-:d:445898
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    References listed on IDEAS

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