Open Access Article

Title: Industry 4.0 and lean augmentation? Digital transformation in the German and Japanese automotive industry

Authors: Martin Schröder; Takefumi Mokudai; Hajo Holst

Addresses: College of Policy Science, Ritsumeikan University, 2-150 Iwakura-cho, Ibaraki-shi, Osaka 567-8570, Japan ' Faculty of Economics, Kyushu University, 744 Motooka, Nishi-ku, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan ' Institute of Social Sciences, University of Osnabrück, Seminarstraße 15, 49074 Osnabrück, Germany

Abstract: This paper explores digital transformation trajectories in the German and Japanese automotive industry based on case studies. Cases include both follow-up investigations of previously analysed cases and additional cases. Previous research on digitalisation in both countries observed that German and Japanese automotive firms follow distinct patterns of utilising digital technologies which can be stylised as bottom-up experimentation in Japan and top-down implementation in Germany. This investigation finds that some firms encounter issues with bottom-up experimentation and implement top-down initiatives to counteract arising issues. Further, it is found that firms deviate from national patterns, suggesting that factors besides nationality influence digital transformation approaches.

Keywords: automotive industry; digitalisation; digital technologies; digital transformation; Industry 4.0; lean production; lean augmentation; multiple-case study; Germany; Japan.

DOI: 10.1504/IJATM.2024.144148

International Journal of Automotive Technology and Management, 2024 Vol.24 No.6, pp.1 - 27

Received: 24 Jul 2024
Accepted: 08 Nov 2024
Published online: 28 Jan 2025 *

 

Return to top