Are European Union Member and Candidate Countries Ready for Industry 5.0?

Abstract

Industry 4.0 is currently one of the significant subjects in academic, managerial, and engineering research. After Industry 4.0, Industry/Society 5.0 philosophy is a brand-new world of unmanned technologies and a super smart society with the purpose of using the technology all over the world. The aim of this study is to interpret the readiness of the European Union and candidate countries for Society 5.0 in line with their position in Industry 4.0. In this research, spatial clustering analysis method was applied for EU member and candidate countries by utilizing some Industry 4.0 variables. The researchers found that the countries with similar economic development are in the same clusters. Developed country experiences can be the most important factors that accomplish Industry 4.0. Because the countries that make this progress will first be able to achieve success in Industry 4.0, they will be able to adapt more easily to Industry 5.0, which is the next industrial revolution.