Digital Technologies’ Risks and Opportunities: Case Study of an RFID System

Abstract

Smart technologies have been the subject of a growing interest for the past few years due to the growing market demand. They are believed to improve human life, existence, and companies’ performance. Considering the recent advances, X.0 concept has proven to be a mindset changing so that companies can now see that they can improve their competitiveness, ensure an innovative, sustainable and resilient environment, and smarten and develop their lean manufacturing tools. Nevertheless, if X.0 adoption is still not at its highest level, it is because of the relevant challenges and difficulties that occur during the implementation process. Within this scope, this paper aims, through a systematic literature review, to identify risks and opportunities of X.0 technologies to constitute a referential to be taken into consideration for a successful implementation. Results are validated by the modelling and simulation of an RFID system applied within the automotive industry, for which we identified risks and opportunities from one side and the system contribution in terms of smart Lean Manufacturing. From one hand, the value added of this paper, on the contrary of previous researches, is mainly regrouping risks and opportunities of most relevant digital technologies to conclude on those of X.0 revolution as a concept as described in following sections. From another hand, we were able to prove, through a real case study, that X.0 concept directly contribute in smartening and improving lean manufacturing principles.