This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
A Theoretical Overview of The Digitalization of Industrial Production
Corresponding Author(s) : Kudaynazarova Dilnaz Koshkarbaevna
American Journal of Economics and Business Management,
Vol. 8 No. 4 (2025): April
Abstract
The industrial sector is undergoing a profound transformation driven by the rapid integration of digital technologies, collectively referred to as Industry 4.0. This shift represents a convergence of information and operational technologies that enable intelligent, interconnected, and autonomous production systems. Although there is increasing practical and academic interest in digitalization, existing literature is fragmented, often limited to case studies or technical applications, lacking a coherent theoretical framework that links digital transformation to systemic organizational change. There is a need for an integrative theoretical review that consolidates multidisciplinary perspectives and identifies key drivers, challenges, and models relevant to industrial digitalization. This study aims to synthesize theoretical insights on industrial digitalization through a structured literature review, identifying foundational concepts, frameworks, and technological components shaping modern manufacturing. The analysis highlights five core dimensions: technological integration, smart manufacturing, organizational transformation, data-driven decision-making, and associated challenges. It applies Sociotechnical Systems Theory, Systems Integration Theory, and Innovation Diffusion Theory to interpret how digitalization reconfigures production environments. Key technologies such as IoT, AI, cloud computing, CPS, and big data analytics are examined for their impact. This review provides a holistic, theory-driven model that bridges technological evolution and socio-organizational transformation, addressing a critical gap in existing research. The findings inform both academic research and strategic industrial planning, offering a foundation for future empirical studies and guiding policymakers, managers, and educators in shaping adaptive, resilient, and human-centric digital ecosystems.
Keywords
Download Citation
Endnote/Zotero/Mendeley (RIS)BibTeX
- J. Lee, B. Bagheri, и H. A. Kao, «A cyber-physical systems architecture for Industry 4.0-based manufacturing systems», Manuf. Lett., т. 3, сс. 18–23, 2015.
- A. Schumacher, S. Erol, и W. Sihn, «A maturity model for assessing Industry 4.0 readiness and maturity of manufacturing enterprises», Procedia CIRP, т. 52, сс. 161–166, 2016.
- B. Li, B. Hou, W. Yu, X. Lu, и C. Yang, «Applications of artificial intelligence in intelligent manufacturing: A review», Front. Inf. Technol. Electron. Eng., т. 18, сс. 86–96, 2017.
- D. Ibarra, J. Ganzarain, и J. I. Igartua, «Business model innovation through Industry 4.0: A review», Procedia Manuf., т. 22, сс. 4–10, 2018.
- H. Kagermann, «Change through digitization—Value creation in the age of Industry 4.0», в Management of Permanent Change, Springer, 2015, сс. 23–45.
- L. Bibby и B. Dehe, «Defining and assessing industry 4.0 maturity levels—Case of the defence sector», Prod. Plan. Control, т. 29, сс. 1030–1043, 2018.
- M. E. Porter и J. E. Heppelmann, «How smart, connected products are transforming companies», Harv. Bus. Rev., т. 93, сс. 96–114, 2015.
- M. E. Porter и J. E. Heppelmann, «How smart, connected products are transforming competition», Harv. Bus. Rev., т. 92, сс. 64–88, 2014.
- X. Xu, C. Xu, B. Cai, и S. Xie, «Industrial AI and smart manufacturing: A systematic review and future perspectives», Engineering, т. 7, сс. 1753–1771, 2021, doi: 10.1016/j.eng.2021.03.017.
- K. D. Thoben, S. A. Wiesner, и T. Wuest, «“Industrie 4.0” and smart manufacturing—a review of research issues and application examples», Int. J. Autom. Technol., т. 11, сс. 4–16, 2017.
- H. Lasi, P. Fettke, H. G. Kemper, T. Feld, и M. Hoffmann, «Industry 4.0», Bus. Inf. Syst. Eng., т. 6, сс. 239–242, 2014, doi: 10.1007/s12599-014-0334-4.
- G. Reischauer, «Industry 4.0 as policy-driven discourse to institutionalize innovation systems in manufacturing», Technol. Forecast. Soc. Change, т. 132, сс. 26–33, 2018.
- A. Sanders, C. Elangeswaran, и J. P. Wulfsberg, «Industry 4.0 implies lean manufacturing: Research activities in Industry 4.0 function as enablers for lean manufacturing», J. Ind. Eng. Manag., т. 9,сс. 811–833, 2016.
- A. G. Frank, L. S. Dalenogare, и N. F. Ayala, «Industry 4.0 technologies: Implementation patterns in manufacturing companies», Int. J. Prod. Econ., т. 210, сс. 15–26, 2019, doi: 10.1016/j.ijpe.2019.01.004.
- S. Vaidya, P. Ambad, и S. Bhosle, «Industry 4.0–A glimpse», Procedia Manuf., т. 20, сс. 233–238, 2018.
References
J. Lee, B. Bagheri, и H. A. Kao, «A cyber-physical systems architecture for Industry 4.0-based manufacturing systems», Manuf. Lett., т. 3, сс. 18–23, 2015.
A. Schumacher, S. Erol, и W. Sihn, «A maturity model for assessing Industry 4.0 readiness and maturity of manufacturing enterprises», Procedia CIRP, т. 52, сс. 161–166, 2016.
B. Li, B. Hou, W. Yu, X. Lu, и C. Yang, «Applications of artificial intelligence in intelligent manufacturing: A review», Front. Inf. Technol. Electron. Eng., т. 18, сс. 86–96, 2017.
D. Ibarra, J. Ganzarain, и J. I. Igartua, «Business model innovation through Industry 4.0: A review», Procedia Manuf., т. 22, сс. 4–10, 2018.
H. Kagermann, «Change through digitization—Value creation in the age of Industry 4.0», в Management of Permanent Change, Springer, 2015, сс. 23–45.
L. Bibby и B. Dehe, «Defining and assessing industry 4.0 maturity levels—Case of the defence sector», Prod. Plan. Control, т. 29, сс. 1030–1043, 2018.
M. E. Porter и J. E. Heppelmann, «How smart, connected products are transforming companies», Harv. Bus. Rev., т. 93, сс. 96–114, 2015.
M. E. Porter и J. E. Heppelmann, «How smart, connected products are transforming competition», Harv. Bus. Rev., т. 92, сс. 64–88, 2014.
X. Xu, C. Xu, B. Cai, и S. Xie, «Industrial AI and smart manufacturing: A systematic review and future perspectives», Engineering, т. 7, сс. 1753–1771, 2021, doi: 10.1016/j.eng.2021.03.017.
K. D. Thoben, S. A. Wiesner, и T. Wuest, «“Industrie 4.0” and smart manufacturing—a review of research issues and application examples», Int. J. Autom. Technol., т. 11, сс. 4–16, 2017.
H. Lasi, P. Fettke, H. G. Kemper, T. Feld, и M. Hoffmann, «Industry 4.0», Bus. Inf. Syst. Eng., т. 6, сс. 239–242, 2014, doi: 10.1007/s12599-014-0334-4.
G. Reischauer, «Industry 4.0 as policy-driven discourse to institutionalize innovation systems in manufacturing», Technol. Forecast. Soc. Change, т. 132, сс. 26–33, 2018.
A. Sanders, C. Elangeswaran, и J. P. Wulfsberg, «Industry 4.0 implies lean manufacturing: Research activities in Industry 4.0 function as enablers for lean manufacturing», J. Ind. Eng. Manag., т. 9,сс. 811–833, 2016.
A. G. Frank, L. S. Dalenogare, и N. F. Ayala, «Industry 4.0 technologies: Implementation patterns in manufacturing companies», Int. J. Prod. Econ., т. 210, сс. 15–26, 2019, doi: 10.1016/j.ijpe.2019.01.004.
S. Vaidya, P. Ambad, и S. Bhosle, «Industry 4.0–A glimpse», Procedia Manuf., т. 20, сс. 233–238, 2018.