The Macroreform of the Electronics Manufacturing Industry under the Industry 4.0 Wave Based on Financial Performance Indicators

Abstract

This study uses financial indicators dismantled by DuPont’s identity as evidence to invert the resource allocation of top companies in the electronics manufacturing industry and then delineates their strategic groups through factor analysis and cluster analysis. Also, the timeline is divided into two periods: from 2010 to 2013 and from 2014 to 2017. The impact of Industry 4.0 was determined by studying and comparing the strategic groups of top companies in these two periods. It is confirmed that the competitive environment in the electronics manufacturing industry did change in the period after the rollout of Industry 4.0, with the general trend being in capacity. In the late Industry 4.0 period, there was an increase in the number of top-performing companies in the group of companies whose competitive strategies were based on production management and supply chain management capabilities. Companies that invest more resources in fixed assets are able to use digitization, networking, and automation. Companies that achieve greater efficiency in their own factory’s production facilities can reap more benefits and widen the gap with their competitors.