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Towards Factory 4.0? Convergence and divergence of lean models in Italian automotive plants

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  • Angelo Moro
  • Maria Enrica Virgillito

Abstract

This paper studies the interplay in terms of techno-organisational change between the adoption of I4.0 technologies and lean production systems. Leveraging on the results of two field-work analyses conducted under a collaboration with the Sabattini Foundation and the metal workers trade union FIOM in the period 2016-2018, we compare an ensemble of factories producing both high-end/highly customised and low-end products. Emerging patterns of convergence and divergence in the techno-organisational configurations of these factories confirm that this wave of technological innovation is far from leading to total automation or the digital revolution. On the contrary, it appears to be integrated into the historical trend of 'leanification' of production processes in the automotive sector, despite the organisational variety shaped by the actual implementation of this production model.

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  • Angelo Moro & Maria Enrica Virgillito, 2022. "Towards Factory 4.0? Convergence and divergence of lean models in Italian automotive plants," International Journal of Automotive Technology and Management, Inderscience Enterprises Ltd, vol. 22(2), pages 245-271.
    • Handle: RePEc:ids:ijatma:v:22:y:2022:i:2:p:245-271
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    1. Jacopo Staccioli & Maria Enrica Virgillito, 2020. "The present, past, and future of labor-saving technologies," DISCE - Quaderni del Dipartimento di Politica Economica dipe0013, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Dipartimenti e Istituti di Scienze Economiche (DISCE).
    2. Cirillo, Valeria & Rinaldini, Matteo & Staccioli, Jacopo & Virgillito, Maria Enrica, 2021. "Technology vs. workers: the case of Italy’s Industry 4.0 factories," Structural Change and Economic Dynamics, Elsevier, vol. 56(C), pages 166-183.
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    4. Angelo Moro & Matteo Rinaldini & Jacopo Staccioli & Maria Enrica Virgillito, 2019. "Control in the era of surveillance capitalism: an empirical investigation of Italian Industry 4.0 factories," Economia e Politica Industriale: Journal of Industrial and Business Economics, Springer;Associazione Amici di Economia e Politica Industriale, vol. 46(3), pages 347-360, September.
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    1. Valeria Cirillo & Matteo Rinaldini & Jacopo Staccioli & Maria Enrica Virgillito, 2023. "Trade unions' responses to Industry 4.0 amid corporatism and resistance," PSL Quarterly Review, Economia civile, vol. 76(305), pages 91-120.
    2. CIRILLO Valeria & RINALDINI Matteo & VIRGILLITO Maria Enrica & DIVELLA Marialuisa & MANICARDI Caterina & MASSIMO Francesco Sabato & CETRULO Armanda & COSTANTINI Eleonora & MORO Angelo & STACCIOLI Jaco, 2022. "Case studies of automation in services," JRC Research Reports JRC129691, Joint Research Centre.

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