Transformation Strategies for the Supply Chain: The Impact of Industry 4.0 and Digital Transformation

This research focuses on the impact of 'Industry 4.0' and 'Digital Transformation' on information sharing and decision making across the supply chain (SC). Following a qualitative approach, the findings are threefold: First, it is shown that the possibility of an entire SC integration based on new technologies is still at distance. Current burdens are the missing willingness to exchange far-reaching information even with long-term partners and the missing technological interface standards in order to enable a trouble-free communication alongside the SC. Second, the impact of Industry 4.0 and the Digital Transformation on decision making is greatly connected to information sharing. An increasing amount of decisions is prepared, recommended or even fully automated by information systems. However, usually, the human being still has the last word. Third, companies' preparations for these impacts differ greatly. Whereas some companies rely on classical phase-based strategies and long-term visions, others do not have a long-term plan at all.