Introduction
Industry: Industrial
Scope of the Study: Nationwide
Thematic Scope/Main Objective of the Study: Identification of the digitization level of Polish industrial enterprises
Research Technique: Computer-Assisted Telephone Interviewing (CATI) and Computer-Assisted Web Interviewing (CAWI). These methods were used interchangeably, in a convenient manner and time for the respondents.
Research Group: Companies operating in the industrial sector - Section C, Polish Classification of Activities 2007 (PKD 2007).
Sample Size: 200 representatives of companies
Implementation
The study was conducted as part of a nationwide initiative aimed at supporting the transformation of companies towards Industry 4.0. The main context for conducting the study was to acquire knowledge about the current level of digitization of industrial enterprises in Poland, including barriers encountered during the digitization process.
Based on the opinions gathered from 200 company representatives, we identified the degree of implementation of solutions aligned with the concept of Industry 4.0 in various industrial sectors in Poland. In addition to information about common solutions implemented in industrial enterprises, the study also provided information on:
- Perception of the concept of innovation and the Industry 4.0 concept.
- Perceived benefits of implementing innovative solutions aligned with the Industry 4.0 concept.
- Barriers and obstacles to implementing Industry 4.0 solutions in industrial enterprises in Poland.
Results
The obtained measurement results allowed us to answer the research questions outlined at the beginning. Based on interviews with representatives of industrial enterprises, it was shown that:
- The concept of Industry 4.0 is known to the majority of industrial enterprises in Poland. The implementation of innovation is mainly seen as an opportunity to increase competitiveness, efficiency, and flexibility in production.
- Industrial enterprises in Poland are moderately developed in terms of innovation – most commonly, 3 to 5 elements of the Industry 4.0 concept are utilized. The level of innovation in industrial enterprises is influenced by the size, profile of activities, and financial situation of the company.
- Among the most widespread Industry 4.0 solutions in industrial enterprises, automation of production lines, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems, and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) are prominent.
- Digital twins are a less known and rarely utilized solution aligned with the Industry 4.0 concept. However, based on the declarations of company representatives, it can be inferred that the prevalence of this technology will significantly increase in the coming years.
- Improving the overall efficiency of the production process and labor productivity is the most commonly perceived positive outcome of introducing innovations in industrial enterprises in Poland.
- Insufficient financial resources are the main obstacle to the digitization development of many industrial enterprises in Poland. The financial barrier more often affects the digitization of micro and small enterprises than larger entities.
Based on the collected research materials, our client gained information regarding the actual level of implementation of innovative solutions in the industrial sector in Poland. Barriers and obstacles to the development of companies in line with the concept of Industry 4.0 were identified, allowing for the design of counteractive measures.
