From disruption to resilience: unleashing the potential of Industry 4.0 technologies in supply chains

In the modern global economy, businesses face an increasing competition and must be agile in responding to disruptions and to unpredictable market conditions. The COVID-19 pandemic has just been the most intense disrupting events of a long list and demonstrated the urgent need for a resilient supply chain, in order to minimize the consequences of disruptions on business performance and continuity. This research aims to investigate how companies are integrating industry 4.0. technologies in their infrastructures and in their daily processes, to enhance resilience and mitigate disruptions. For the study purpose, the adopted approach was qualitative, and data have been gathered through in-depth interviews with middle/senior managers from four organizations in Brescia, Italy, which provided useful insights on the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies, as well as their impact on many parts of company processes. The deductive approach, which was based research propositions derived from prior research, yielded insightful results. The study found that the adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies represented a challenge for companies, particularly in terms of technological integration and cultural acceptance, but also highlighted the important part played by policymakers, which lower investments costs through tax credits and depreciation rules. Finding showed that different organizations responded to COVID-19 in different ways. Some companies benefited from higher inventory levels, while others discovered benefits in vertical integration. Artificial intelligence (AI), Industry 4.0, and cloud-based ERP integration boosted real- time data availability and connectivity, leading to better visibility, adaptability, and control over inventories and production, which is considered relevant in a disruption context. Furthermore, efficiency has become a major factor in the implementation of Industry 4.0, especially obtainable through AI- driven machinery, improving organizational flexibility and agility. The study revealed that the adoption of technologies 4.0., and the combination of visibility, adaptability, efficiency, and collaboration directly enhance business’ resilience, and only as a consequence, supply chain resilience, remarking a gap between literature and professional practices.