Industry 4.0 as Policy-driven Discourse to Institutionalize Innovation Systems in Manufacturing

We are witnessing an increasing adoption of digital technologies in manufacturing industries around the globe. This trend is often debated under the label Industry 4.0. A key claim put forward in these debates is that Industry 4.0 represents a revolution that will reshape manufacturing industries akin to previous industrial revolutions. Despite the popularity of this claim, it provides little help to clarify the identity of Industry 4.0. Such a clarification is however much needed given the worldwide proliferation of digital technologies in manufacturing industries. I address this gap by arguing to view Industry 4.0 as policy-driven innovation discourse in manufacturing industries that aims to institutionalize innovation systems that encompass business, academia, and politics. This clarification of the identity of Industry 4.0 adds to a better understanding of the relationship between manufacturing and politics as well as technological change in manufacturing.