Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Fourth Industrial Revolution: technological drivers, impacts and coping methods

  • Published:
Chinese Geographical Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The world is marching into a new development period when the digital technology, physical technology, and biological technology have achieved an unprecedented development respectively in their own fields, and at the same time their applications are converging greatly. These are the three major technological drivers for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. This paper discusses the specific technology niches of each kind technological driver behind the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and then evaluates impacts of the Fourth Industrial Revolution on global industrial, economic, and social development. At last this paper proposes possible measures and policies for both firms and governments to cope with the changes brought by the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • 3D Printing Industry, 2014. The free beginner’s guide to 3D printing. In: 3D Printing Newsletter. Available at: https://3dprintingindustry.com/3d-printing-basics-free-beginners-guide/. Cited 28 Apr 2017.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ali S, Dadush U, 2011. Trade in intermediates and economic policy. In: CEOR’s Policy Portal. VOX. Available at: http://voxeu.org/article/rise-trade-intermediates-policy-implications. Cited 28 Apr 2017.

    Google Scholar 

  • Atzori L, Iera A, Morabito G, 2010. The internet of things: a survey. Computer networks, 54(15): 2787–2805. doi: 10.1016/j.comnet.2010.05.010

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Ayers J, Davis J L, Rudolph A, 2002. Neurotechnology for Biomimetic Robots. Cambridge: MIT press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Buyya R, Sukumar K, 2011. Platforms for building and deploying applications for cloud computing. CSI Communications, 31(1): 7–13. doi: arXiv:1104.4379.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ding Chun, Li Junyang, 2014. Industrial 4.0: contents, motivations and prospects. Deutschland Studien, (4): 46–99, 126. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Draper P, 2013. The shifting geography of global value chains: implications for developing countries, trade policy, and the G20. Global Summitry Journal, 1(1): 1–40.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Drath R, Horch A, 2014. Industrie 4.0: Hit or hype? IEEE Industrial Electronics Magazine, 8(2): 56–58. doi: 10.1109/MIE. 2014.2312079

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • European Commission, 2016. An EU strategy on heating and cooling. In: Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions. European Commission. Available at: https://ec.-europa.eu/energy/sites/ener/files/documents/1_EN_ACT_part1_v14.pdf. Cited 28 Apr 2017.

    Google Scholar 

  • Fagnant D J, Kockelman K, 2015. Preparing a nation for autonomous vehicles: opportunities, barriers and policy recommendations. Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, 77: 167–181. doi: 10.1016/j.tra.2015.04.003

    Google Scholar 

  • Fernández A, del Río S, López V et al., 2014. Big data with cloud computing: an insight on the computing environment, MapReduce, and programming frameworks. Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews: Data Mining and Knowledge Discovery, 4(5): 380–409. doi: 10.1002/widm.1134

    Google Scholar 

  • Gentner S, 2016. Industry 4.0: reality, future or just science fiction? How to convince today’s management to invest in tomorrow’s future! Successful Strategies for Industry 4.0 and Manufacturing IT. Chimia, 70(9): 628–633. doi: 10.2533/chimia.2016.628

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • He Zhengchu, Pan Hongyu, 2015. Germany ‘Industry 4.0’ and ‘Made in China 2015’. Journal of Changsha University of Science & Technology (Social Science), 30(3): 103–110. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Ho M W, 2000. Human genome: the biggest sellout in human history. In: Science in Society Archive. Available at: http://www.i-sis.org.uk/humangenome.php. Cited 28 Apr 2017.

    Google Scholar 

  • Hochberg L R, Bacher D, Jarosiewicz B et al., 2012. Reach and grasp by people with tetraplegia using a neurally controlled robotic arm. Nature, 485(7398): 372–375. doi: 10.1038/nature11076

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Home S, Grutzner J, Hadlich T et al., 2015. Semantic industry: challenges for computerized information processing in Industrie 4.0. Automatisierung Stechnik, 63(2): 74–86. doi: 10.1515/auto-2014-1142

    Google Scholar 

  • Ivanov D, Dolgui A, Sokolov B et al., 2016. Adynamic model and an algorithm for short-term supply chain scheduling in the smart factory industry 4.0. International Journal of Production Research, 54(2): 386–402. doi: 10.1080/00207543.2014.999958

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jopp K, 2013. Industry 4.0: the growing together of real and virtual worlds: the internet of things drives the fourth industrial revolution. Stahl Und Elsen, 133(6): 86–88.

    Google Scholar 

  • KPMG, 2015. Connected and autonomous vehicles: the UK economic opportunity, In: Insights. Available at: https://www.kpmg.com/BR/en/Estudos_Analises/artigosepublicacoes/Docu ments/Industrias/Connected-Autonomous-Vehicles-Study.pdf. Cited 10 Dec 2016.

    Google Scholar 

  • Kube G, Rinn T, 2014. Industry 4.0-The next revolution in the industrial sector. ZGK International, 67(11): 30–32.

    Google Scholar 

  • Lalanda P, Morand D, Chollet S, 2017. Autonomic mediation middleware for smart manufacturing. IEEE Internet Computing, 21(1): 32–39.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leber J, 2012. General electric pitches an industrial internet. MIT Technology Review, Nov 2012/Jul 2016.

    Google Scholar 

  • Liu Yongkui, Xu Xun, 2017. Industry 4.0 and cloud manufacturing: a comparative analysis. Journal of Manufacturing Science and Engineering, 139(3): 034701. doi: 10.1115/1.4034667

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • MaRS Advisory Services, 2009. Neurotechnology: focus on aging. In: Neurotechnology Industry Briefing. Available at: https://www.marsdd.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/01/MaRS Report-Neurotechology1.pdf. Cited 10 Dec 2016.

    Google Scholar 

  • Monostori L, 2014. Cyber-physical production systems: roots, expectations and R&D challenges. Procedia CIRP, 17: 9–13. doi: 10.1016/j.procir.2014.03.115

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Mosterman P J, Zander J, 2017. Industry 4.0 as a cyber-physical system study. Software and Systems Modeling, 15(1): 17–29. doi: 10.1007/s10270-015-0439-x

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • OECD, 2011. The future of the Internet Economy. In: OECD high-level meeting. Available at: https://www.oecd.org/internet/-ieconomy/48255770.pdf. Cited 28 Apr 2017.

    Google Scholar 

  • Pei Changhong, Yu Yan, 2014. Germany ‘Industry 4.0’ and new development of manufacturing cooperation in China and Germany. Research on Financial and Economic Issues, (10): 27–33. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  • Pfeifer R, Scheier C, 2001. Understanding Intelligence. Cambridge: MIT Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Potomac Institute for Policy Studies, 2014. Neurotechnology: enhancing the human brain and reshaping society. In: Symposium Report. Available at: http://www.potomacinstitute.org/images/stories/publications/22JanNeurotechEnhancementReport.pdf. Cited 10 Dec 2016.

    Google Scholar 

  • Purcell B M, 2014. Big data using cloud computing. Journal of Technology Research, 5(8): 1–8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Qin Shengfeng, Cheng Kai, 2016. Special issue on future digital design and manufacturing: embracing Industry 4.0 and beyond. Chinese Journal of Mechanical Engineering, 29(6): 1045. doi: 10.3901/CJME.2016.0909.110

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sackey S M, Bester A, 2016. Industrial engineering curriculum in Industry 4.0 in a South African context. South African Journal of Industrial Engineering, 27(4): 101–114. doi: 10.7166/27-4-1579

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sako M, 2005. Outsourcing and offshoring: key trends and issues. Available at: SSRN 1463480.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sarma A C, Girão J, 2009. Identities in the Future Internet of Things. Wireless Personal Communications, 49(3): 353–363. doi: 10.1007/s11277-009-9697-0

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Schwab K, 2016. The Fourth Industrial Revolution. Switzerland: World Economic Forum, 25–38.

    Google Scholar 

  • Shapiro R J, Mathur A, 2011. The contributions of information and communication technologies to American growth, productivity. In: Sonecon. Available at: http://tr41.tiaonline.org/gov_ affairs/fcc_filings/documents/Report_on_ICT_and_Innovation_Shapiro_Mathur_September_8_2011.pd. Cited 28 Apr 2017.

    Google Scholar 

  • Singer P, 2015. Are you ready for Industry 4.0? Solid State Technology, 58(8): 2.

    Google Scholar 

  • Sommer L, 2015. Industrial revolution-Industry 4.0: are German manufacturing SMEs the first victims of this revolution? Journal of Industrial Engineering and Management, 8(5): 1512–1532. doi: 10.3926/jiem.1470

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Theorin A, Bengtsson K, Provost J et al., 2017. An event-driven manufacturing information system architecture for Industry 4.0. International Journal of Production Research, 55(5): 1297–1311. doi: 10.1080/00207543.2016.1201604

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wang J, Kosaka M, Xing K, 2016. Manufacturing Servitization in the Asia-Pacific. Singapore: Springer. doi: 10.1007/978-981- 287-757-4

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Wang L, Törngren M, Onori M, 2015. Current status and advancement of cyber-physical systems in manufacturing. Journal of Manufacturing Systems, 2015, 37(Part 2): 517–527. doi: 10.1016/j.jmsy.2015.04.008

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Webster S A, 2015. Coming to a factory near you: industry 4.0. Manufacturing Engineering, 154(3): 8.

    Google Scholar 

  • Weiss A, Hubber A, Minichberger J et al., 2016. First application of robot teaching in an existing Industry 4.0 environment: does it really work? Societies, 6(3): 20. doi: 10.3390/soc6030020

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Xu Dong, Nie Beisheng, Wang Longkang et al., 2013. Accurate localization technology in fully mechanized coal face: the first step towards coal mining Industry 4.0. Disaster Advances, 6: 69–77.

    Google Scholar 

  • Xu J, Huang E, Hsieh L et al., 2016. Simulation optimization in the era of Industrial 4.0 and the Industrial Internet. Journal of Stimulation, 10(4): 310–320. doi: 10.1057/s41273-016-0037-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang Shu, 2014. The Industry 4.0 and intelligent manufacturing. Machine Design and Manufacturing Engineering, 43(8): 1–5. (in Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Government, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China

    Guoping Li

  2. NUS Business School, National University of Singapore, Singapore, 117592, Singapore

    Yun Hou

  3. Library, Peking University, Beijing, 100871, China

    Aizhi Wu

Authors
  1. Guoping Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Yun Hou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Aizhi Wu
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Guoping Li.

Additional information

Foundation item: Under the auspices of National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 41671120, 41401125)

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Li, G., Hou, Y. & Wu, A. Fourth Industrial Revolution: technological drivers, impacts and coping methods. Chin. Geogr. Sci. 27, 626–637 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11769-017-0890-x

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11769-017-0890-x

Keywords

Search

Navigation