Industry 4.0, proximity constraints and new challenges for industrial policy

This paper looks in depth at the territorial problems posed by the incorporation of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) into the knowledge bases of product fields in manufacturing industry, resulting in what has become known as Industry 4.0. Using a formal, logical approach we build up a reference taxonomy that identifies various territorial problems based on the cognitive composition of the technology solutions used by manufacturing companies. We assess those problems in terms of their effects in the form of proximity constraints on technological collaboration activities and geographical location for producers. Once the various territorial problems are formally set out, it becomes possible to identify each product field with the problem that corresponds to the cognitive composition of the technical solutions that it uses.

Automated summary

This paper examines the territorial problems brought about by the integration of ICTs into the knowledge bases of manufacturing industry, leading to the concept of Industry 4.0. By establishing a reference taxonomy based on the cognitive composition of technology solutions, the study assesses the impact of these problems on technological collaboration activities and geographical location for producers. Once the territorial problems are identified, each product field can be associated with the corresponding issue based on the cognitive composition of its technical solutions.