The current sustainability scenario of Industry 4.0 enabling technologies in Indian manufacturing industries

PurposeThe purposes of this research article are as follows: to explore the understanding of the Industry 4.0 (I4.0) concept among Indian manufacturing industries, to determine the motivating factors for I4.0 implementation, to identify I4.0 enabling technologies which are used by Indian manufacturing industries and assess their sustainability, to explore the impact of above identified enabling technologies on sustainability pillars, to determine how Indian manufacturing industries interpret the concept of I4.0 and to develop a road map for I4.0 implementation and sustainability.Design/methodology/approachTo perform this research work, a dual research methodology was adopted. Questionnaires were sent to 16 Indian manufacturing industries, and expert interviews were conducted with seven experts who have been practicing the I4.0 concept since the last three years in their business. Also, a sustainability measurement tool was developed to measure the sustainability of the used I4.0 enabling technologies.FindingsIn this research article, it is found that smart sensors and robot arms have high sustainability, whereas cyber physical systems (CPSs) and big data analytics have low sustainability. During an expert interview, it has been found that adoption of the I4.0 concept in Indian manufacturing industries is creating job loss fear in employees. Also, it is found that Indian workers must be trained to adopt and sustain I4.0 enabling technologies.Research limitations/implicationsThe sustainability of I4.0 enabling technologies in Indian manufacturing industries was indicated by analyzing responses received through questionnaires and expert interviews. There are other measures of sustainability which are beyond this study. Further studies are expected to fill the gap.Practical implicationsThe authors have explored reasons for low sustainability of I4.0 enabling technologies in Indian manufacturing industries, suggested a road map for its implementation and sustainability and identified the relationship between different parameters (such as job loss, job creation, workers’ qualification and business profit) and I4.0 sustainability, therefore helping Indian organizations to develop sustainable manufacturing systems based on the I4.0 concept.Originality/valueThis research article gives an idea about sustainability of I4.0 enabling technologies in Indian manufacturing industries.