HomeResearch & Knowledgeback to Homeback to Research & KnowledgeIndustry 4.0: The hard reality in business to businessback to

Case Study

Industry 4.0: The hard reality in business to business

By Carlos Cordon and Teresa Ferreiro Vilarino

18 pages

May 2016

Order this case study

Reference: IMD-7-1784

Industry 4.0 is impacting companies at many different levels. New technology, robots and communications are taking manufacturing through a full restructuring process. Today, many of the promises that Industry 4.0 – also referred to as the industrial internet – may still sound unrealistic and distant. Executives and business consultants talk about its potential as something that is about to happen. But has it really started? Indeed, Industry 4.0 is no longer the future. Some organizations are already transforming their processes to adapt to the new digital reality that the industrial internet is bringing with it. The process may not always be painless but it offers countless benefits that make it worthwhile. This technical note provides a compilation of leading-edge initiatives that may show us the path forward.

Learning Objective

To understand how Industry 4.0 is transforming organizations. The note identifies four main drivers of what is also called the fourth industrial revolution (Internet of Things, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and 3D printing) and uses real examples of business-to –business companies to illustrate what is already happening.

Keywords

Digital Revolution, Robotics, 3D Printing, Artificial Intelligence, Business to Business, Industrial Internet, Industry 4.0

Settings

World/global
Business Management Services, Business Services

Available Languages

English

IMD case studies are distributed through case clearing houses. In order to browse the collection and purchase copies please visit the links below.

The Case Centre

Cranfield University

Wharley End Beds MK43 0JR, UK
Tel +44 (0)1234 750903
Email [email protected]

Harvard Business School Publishing

60 Harvard Way, Boston MA 02163, USA
Tel (800) 545-7685 Tel (617)-783-7600
Fax (617) 783-7666
Email [email protected]

Asia Pacific Case Center

NUCB Business School

1-3-1 Nishiki Naka
Nagoya Aichi, Japan 460-0003
Tel +81 52 20 38 111
Email [email protected]

IMD retains all proprietary interests in its case studies and notes. Without prior written permission, IMD cases and notes may not be reproduced, used, translated, included in books or other publications, distributed in any form or by any means, stored in a database or in other retrieval systems. For additional copyright information related to case studies, please contact Case Services.

Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications

Keep reading

Article

Optimizing omnichannel assortments and inventory provisions under the multichannel attraction model

Assortment optimization presents a complex challenge for retailers, as it depends on numerous decision factors. Changes in assortment can result in demand redistribution with multi-layered consequences. This complexity is even more pronounced for ...

General Management

By Andrey Vasilyev, Sebastian Maier and Ralf W. Seifert

in European Journal of Operational Research

August 2025, vol. 324, no. 3, pp. 799-813, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejor.2025.01.035

Article

The anatomy of family business conflict

Understanding conflict in family businesses is a complex but essential study area for practitioners and academics. To enhance theoretical precision and provide practical insights, this article presents a comprehensive framework of family business ...

Customer Centricity Family Business

By Marco Mismetti, Barbara Del Bosco, Cristina Bettinelli and Alfredo De Massis

in Journal of Family Business Strategy

June 2025, vol. 16, no. 2, 100660, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfbs.2025.100660

Article

Boundary conditions for organizations in the Anthropocene: A review of the planetary boundaries framework 10 years on

We systematically review business research concerning the planetary boundaries framework: A natural science framework that identifies nine Earth system boundaries that govern the safe operating space for humanity. Ten years after the introduction ...

Sustainability

By Amanda Williams, Paolo Perego and Gail Whiteman

in Journal of Management Studies

June 2025, vol. 62, no.4, pp. 1811-1846, https://doi.org/10.1111/joms.13150

Article

Navigating disruption: The CFO role in a volatile world

Stephan Jansma, CFO at Trafigura, shares how today’s finance leaders must navigate global disruptions, manage liquidity in high-volatility markets, and engage with policymakers to keep supply chains moving.

in I by IMD

Article

Breaking up to move forward: Why CFOs are at the heart of the de-conglomeration trend

In an age that prizes agility, breaking up is a strategy rather than a surrender, argues IMD’s Salvatore Cantale, as CFOs step forward as architects of value in the de-conglomeration era.

in I by IMD

Article

Out of your comfort zone: What it takes for traditional CFOs to become CEOs

IMD’s Ric Roi explores what it takes for traditional CFOs to step into the CEO role: expanding their leadership range, building emotional connection, and navigating complexity with confidence.

in I by IMD

Article

Training the retailers of tomorrow

Natalia Wallenberg of Ahold Delhaize describes how one of the largest retailers in Europe is tackling the upskilling dilemma.

in I by IMD

Article

Executive recovery: The backbone of thriving organizations

With executives experiencing unprecedented levels of leadership burnout, here are three ways for organizations to help employees prioritize their recovery

in I by IMD

Article

Riding the duck curve: A strategic guide for companies in the evolving energy landscape

With solar power flooding grids, the duck curve creates both challenges and opportunities for businesses. Learn how smart companies can harness this shift to cut costs and boost efficiency.

By Robert Earle and Karl Schmedders

in I by IMD

Article

Riding the duck curve: A strategic guide for companies in the evolving energy landscape

Solar power floods grids with cheap energy, creating both challenges and opportunities. Learn how smart companies can capitalize on the duck curve.

Business Transformation Innovation Sustainability Technology Management

By Robert Earle and Karl Schmedders

in I by IMD

Optimizing omnichannel assortments and inventory provisions under the multichannel attraction model

By Andrey Vasilyev Sebastian Maier and Ralf W. Seifert
in European Journal of Operational Research August 2025, vol. 324, no. 3, pp. 799-813, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejor.2025.01.035

Summary

Contact

Research Information & Knowledge Hub for additional information on IMD publications