Application of the EFQM Model to Assess the Readiness and Sustainability of the Implementation of I4.0 in Slovakian Companies

Abstract

The fourth industrial revolution (I4.0) is expected to increase quality, efficiency, availability, sustainability, the reduction of costs, the demand for energy and environment, and mainly increase the level of occupational health and safety (OHS). New procedures or paradigms of this revolution deflect from already used standards and create an assumption for building the exceptionality of organizations. The main idea of the performed research was to assess how managers in the Slovak industry perceive the readiness of organizations for the implementation of I4.0. The aim of this study, applied in 53 companies, was to assess two areas: the integration level of complex safety into management systems; and the impact of digitalization on OHS. The applied methodology was based on a modified EFQM (European Foundation for Quality Management) exceptionality model. Answers were transformed into numeric figures using a so-called spider web diagram. In the conclusion of this article, there are described interesting differences in the two mentioned areas based on the perception of both top management and the estimation of the readiness degree of the Slovak organizations for I4.0 concept.