Abstract

In recent years, the so-called fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0) has received much attention as the one to connect manufacturing technologies, integrate machines, supply chains, and data to enable informed decision-making and increased automation. However, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) have not been able to capitalise on the possibilities offered by modern production technologies. While most research on the topic has approached it from an overwhelmingly technical angle, it appears that technology is not the only barrier, and manufacturers lack the knowledge to conduct an effective digital transformation, necessitating responsible, human-centred approaches.

In response, a new paradigm is emerging – the fifth industrial revolution (Industry 5.0). This paradigm places humans at the centre of production technology, adopting a capability-driven perspective with a profound focus on human centricity, resiliency, and sustainability.

This dissertation aims to provide actionable insights about the role of competences and learning in advancing digitalisation within manufacturing and production environments. This is presented through five appended research contributions. The empirical results are based on desk research and empirical case research from multiple Danish SMEs through the Innovation Factory North research program. The research program provided a unique insight into 90 manufacturing companies. The results are centred around three main research questions that, firstly, identify crucial competences needed for digital transformation and tie them to the digital transformation process in a novel competence typology. Secondly, organisational prerequisites and hindrances for competence development for digital transformation are explored to explain the slow digitalisation observed in SMEs. It is found how specific foundational knowledge areas hinder SMEs in their digitalisation efforts. Lastly, exemplary case studies illustrate how adopting a human-centred perspective helps mature the SMEs’ foundational knowledge and promote learning and understanding of digital transformation. The findings also challenge the idea that a digital transformation always needs a long-term strategy to succeed – for SMEs, a more incremental approach seems suitable.