Knowledge management and Industry 4.0: a critical analysis and future agenda

Abstract

This paper aims to discuss how Knowledge Management (KM) can support the Industry 4.0 (I4.0) implementation. The paper analyzes the relevant literature and explores related research opportunities, which can provide insights and assist researchers in future studies. I4.0 technologies can influence work flexibility, autonomy, job performance and innovation, but the acquisition and dissemination of knowledge, especially on the shop floor, remain dependent on employees, indicating human concerns which can be supported by KM. We conducted a literature review on KM and I4.0 on 41 papers selected from the Clarivate Web of Science Core Collection, published between 2010 and 2021. Structured summaries were developed, that lead to broad themes. Findings indicate three themes relating KM and I4.0: Technology, which explores infrastructure demands for implementation and its influence on the knowledge creation process; KM and learning, which reinforces the importance of both hard and soft skills, and indicates the need to investigate enablers factors for knowledge creation and sharing; and Worker engagement, which consider communicational, cultural and trust-related aspects for worker's development. This paper explores the I4.0 implementation and indicate concerns involving workers and the technologies adoption, which can provide insights and assist researchers in future Operations Management practices and related researches.