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Industry 4.0, global value chains and international business

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journal contribution
posted on 2023-06-09, 06:18 authored by Roger StrangeRoger Strange, Antonella Zucchella
Purpose: The paper aims to provide an assessment of how the widespread adoption of new digital technologies (i.e. the internet of things, big data and analytics, robotic systems, and additive manufacturing) might affect the location and organisation of activities within global value chains (GVCs). Approach: The approach in this paper is to review various sources about the potential adoption and impact of the new digital technologies (commonly known collectively as Industry 4.0), to contrast these technologies with existing technologies, and to consider how the new technologies might lead to new configurations involving suppliers, firms and customers. Findings: We report that the new digital technologies have considerable potential to disrupt how and where activities are located and organized within GVCs), and who captures the value-added within those chains. We also report that Industry 4.0 is still in its infancy, but that its effects are already having an impact upon the nature of competition and corporate strategies in many industries. Implications: In particular, we draw attention to the potential cyber-risks and implications for the privacy of individuals, and hence the need for regulation. Originality/value: This is the first published paper to consider the likely separate and joint impacts of the new digital technologies on the practice and theory of international business.

History

Publication status

  • Published

File Version

  • Accepted version

Journal

Multinational Business Review

ISSN

1525-383X

Publisher

Emerald

Issue

3

Volume

25

Page range

174-184

Department affiliated with

  • Business and Management Publications

Full text available

  • Yes

Peer reviewed?

  • Yes

Legacy Posted Date

2017-05-16

First Open Access (FOA) Date

2017-10-13

First Compliant Deposit (FCD) Date

2017-05-16

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