Industry 4.0 impacts on workers: case study of the Brazilian, British, Canadian and Chinese automotive industry

Abstract

Industry and academia have devoted attention to implementing Industry 4.0 (I4.0) in the production of goods and services. The literature in the area addresses difficulties associated with the implementation of I4.0 in emerging economies, including national culture and worker training. This research aims to investigate the impacts of I4.0 on the Brazilian, Canadian, Chinese and English automotive worker, comparing factors interrelated to human resources; production; knowledge. Investigating how these social systems are adjusting to I4.0 is relevant for national industrial sectors to wish act efficiently in this new technological context. Industry 4.0 demands new professional skills and will impact employment. The automotive sector in Brazil, Canada, China and the United Kingdom is representative for research, providing cultural and institutional conditions that support the proposed discussions. The methodological procedures have three stages: (a) critical analysis of the literature related to I4.0 and social systems; (b) the development of data collection instruments; (c) field research with the application of interviews and questionnaire (survey) related to factors that impact the implementation of I4.0. It is noteworthy that this research is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) proposed by the United Nations (UN): quality education (SDG-4); o Decent Work and Economic Growth (SDG-8); and Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure (ODS-9) which seeks to promote inclusive and sustainable industrialization and foster innovation. This research proposal aims to contribute to sustainable organizational practices; formulation of public policies that alleviate social problems; guidance of professional curricula affected by I 4.0. (AU)