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Industrial Management and Engineering in the Fourth Industrial Revolution

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A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Applied Industrial Technologies".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (15 April 2022) | Viewed by 39923

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Special Issue Editor

Prof. Dr. Manuel García-García

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Guest Editor

Department of Construction and Fabrication Engineering, National Distance Education University (UNED), 28040 Madrid, Spain
Interests: ergonomics; workplace design; industrial engineering; manufacturing processes; maintenance management; strategic management; manufacturing technologies; Industry 4.0, corporate social responsibility; operations; industrial heritage
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Matching industrial capabilities and society needs is challenging for companies. Moreover, being capable of performing operations with the efficient management of information, materials, and financial flows at the lowest risk possible to maximize a company´s overall value and optimize the impact on its related environment plays a fundamental role in current global supply chain networks.

In this context, practitioners often fail to holistically consider all the related factors in different planning horizons (long-, medium-, and short-term) of a certain decision, leading to partial, suboptimal, or even negative decisions. Reasons for this can vary from lack of information to no consideration of various future scenarios or delays in the decision-making process. In addition, researchers do not often consider the status in practical fields when developing new concepts or create concepts without coordinated work with organizations in which they are already in test or use phases.

Thus, the aim of this Special Issue is to develop integrated approaches to increase organizational capabilities and apply new industrial engineering methods and technologies to deal with current and future challenges. As a result, the fourth industrial revolution opens new opportunities for researchers and practitioners to generate concepts, methods, tools, and systems from the design to the end of product and service life cycles to increase organizational competitiveness and to secure viability in the long-term. These developments seek to provide a toolbox for this purpose, considering the human factor as a core element. The goal is to increase the efficiency of the clustering of manufacturing and assembly companies as well as integrated service providers and their related environments.

This Special Issue is focused on applied research in industrial engineering and aims to contribute to overcoming challenges in both organizations and societies. Researchers and practitioners are encouraged to submit manuscripts concerning the broad multidisciplinary topic of industrial management and engineering (e.g., strategic management, sustainability and corporate social responsibility, business transformation, supply chain management, production management, manufacturing and assembly systems, service management, human factor engineering, information management, and Industry 4.0) pertinent to the continuous improvement of industrial and service organizations within the fourth industrial revolution.

We welcome submissions, including original papers and reviews, dealing with, but not limited to, the following topics:

Management systems;
Strategic management;
Organizational behavior;
Decision-making processes;
Sustainability and corporate social responsibility;
Investment planning;
Finance management;
Procurement strategies;
Project management;
Risk management;
Leadership;
Business transformation;
Supply chain management;
Production management;
Procurement management;
Distribution management;
Maintenance management;
Energy management;
Manufacturing and assembly systems;
Mechanical engineering;
Service management;
Asset management/life cycle management;
Human factor engineering;
Design for manufacturing and assembly;
Occupational health and safety;
Workplace design and ergonomics;
Lean management;
Quality management;
Information management and IT systems;
Communication technologies and management;
Industrial revolutions and Industry 4.0;
Technologies development and new technologies;
Modeling and simulation;
Digital twins.

Dr. Manuel García-García
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

strategic management
sustainability and corporate social responsibility
business transformation
supply chain management
production management
manufacturing and assembly systems
service management
human factor engineering
information management
Industry 4.0

Published Papers (12 papers)

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Editorial

Jump to: Research

3 pages, 203 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Special Issue on Industrial Management and Engineering in the Fourth Industrial Revolution

by Sergio Gallego-García and Manuel García-García

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(15), 7866; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12157866 - 05 Aug 2022

Viewed by 1040

Abstract

The topic of the Special Issue, Industrial Management and Engineering, covers the research and practical background that has shaped our society since the beginning of the first industrial revolution [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Industrial Management and Engineering in the Fourth Industrial Revolution)

Research

Jump to: Editorial

27 pages, 7534 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Dynamic Innovation Information System (DIIS) for a New Management Age

by Sergio Gallego-García, Diqian Ren, Diego Gallego-García, Salvador Pérez-García and Manuel García-García

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(13), 6592; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12136592 - 29 Jun 2022

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2498

Abstract

Innovations are essential for global development and market dynamics. Innovation management is central to organizations for gaining adaptability and dynamic capabilities to ensure their sustainability over time. Right decisions are essential for the implementation of innovations. However, on many occasions, especially in the product development process, decisions are taken based on static analysis, qualitative criteria, questionnaires, and/or quantitative evaluations that are outdated. Moreover, many innovation developments do not consider the existing databases in their information systems of similar innovation projects, especially in the early phases of new innovations when evaluations are mainly driven by area, group, or person. Furthermore, inventions are introduced in different regions, plants, and socio-economic situations, providing different results. In this context, considering that innovations shape our current and future world, including all products and services, as well as how humans, organizations, and machines interact, the significance of the paper is clear. Therefore, it is necessary to develop an innovation management model based on the Viable System Model to cope with any potential future environment based on internal organizational capabilities. For this purpose, the paper designs a Digital Ecosystem for the Fourth Industrial Revolution (DE4.0) based on the Plan-Do-Check-Act methodology applicable to any information system consisting of a digital twin, a simulation model, databases from existing information systems, and quality management techniques. This DE4.0 provides a huge advantage for the applicability and scalability of innovations as it allows one to plan, monitor, assess, and improve. Moreover, based on the conceptual model, a generic project evaluation scheme is developed, providing a platform for innovation project management and control during the whole innovation life cycle. As a result, the research provides a scientific and practical contribution for an integrated management of innovations based on the best information and set of techniques available. Based on this framework, a supply-chain case study is developed. The results show how, depending on the intended goals, the past experiences, the evolution of the innovation, and the innovation scope, indicators can be influenced towards reaching the initial goals and reducing the innovation risks. Finally, a discussion about the potential use and role of the DE4.0 for innovation projects and the related learning process is performed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Industrial Management and Engineering in the Fourth Industrial Revolution)

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22 pages, 2115 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Design and Implementation of Adaptable Self-Protection Plans for Public Buildings: A Nursing Home Case in Spain

by Luis Benigno Retuerta-Martínez, Salvador Pérez-García, Sergio Gallego-García and Manuel García-García

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(12), 6161; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12126161 - 17 Jun 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1799

Abstract

COVID-19 is reflecting the importance of self-protection plans in nursing homes, especially when it concerns persons of older age. Self-protection plans intend to prevent and control the risks of residential buildings. The goal of this research is to develop a design process for self-protection plans of public buildings, and specifically a nursing home. In this regard, it is key for the viability of the nursing home operations to be capable of adapting to any potential future event. Starting from some initial hypotheses that establish the need for adaptability, a self-protection plan model is developed for public buildings based on a new approach consisting of four elements and three steps. It was applied to an elderly residence which is currently under construction. The methodology followed has consisted of a process by stages, to design and implement a novel self-protection plan for public buildings. Subsequently, it has been applied to the specific case study, using the most common tools and applications available for later analysis of the result obtained with the starting hypotheses. The results show how the research allows an increase in the adaptability of self-protection plans for any publicly owned building, although there is an extensive and precise subsequent work of adaptation to specific cases considering the different legal frameworks which makes the work challenging. Finally, the research on adaptability and its application for elderly residences enabled the derivation of recommendations regarding self-protection plans in general and specifically in homes for the elderly. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Industrial Management and Engineering in the Fourth Industrial Revolution)

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26 pages, 4862 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development Trends of Production Systems through the Integration of Lean Management and Industry 4.0

by Adriana Florescu and Sorin Barabas

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(10), 4885; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12104885 - 11 May 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4115

Abstract

The integration of efficient production and management systems with the new Industry 4.0 concept represents a challenge for any company wishing to adapt its processes in order to increase performance, both at the operational and the organizational levels, through digitization and connectivity. This research proposes an analysis of Lean tools and Industry 4.0 technologies for compatibility in order to provide a framework model for development and integration in industrial applications. Through a systematic review of the literature, this paper contributes to the development of the current vision regarding the implementation and integration of the two “paradigms” of production. An analysis of the current key production strategies was performed through a new conceptual approach from the perspective of correlating the Lean management system, a system that has been stable in recent decades, with the innovative technologies of Industry 4.0. The applicative character of the research consisted of the optimization by simulation of a flexible production system in which the two concepts were integrated. The results showed that the implementation of Lean in the field of flexible manufacturing, correlated with the integration of Industry 4.0 techniques, such as digital twin and simulation, led to improved production processes by fast and flexible reconfiguration, with the two concepts being interdependent. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Industrial Management and Engineering in the Fourth Industrial Revolution)

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23 pages, 5337 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Project Design and Management of Optimized Self-Protection Plans: A Case Study for Spanish Public Buildings

by Javier Gejo-García, Sergio Gallego-García and Manuel García-García

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(9), 4401; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12094401 - 27 Apr 2022

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1979

Abstract

Self-protection plans are the fundamental tool established to prevent and control the risks that threaten people and assets. In turn, they are essential to provide an adequate response to possible emergency situations that may occur in public or private buildings, facilities, or events. In this context, current and future challenges advocate increasing the usefulness, versatility, and adaptability of self-protection plans. For this purpose, this paper aims to develop a conceptual model for the project management of self-protection plans with a lifecycle approach. The research provides results concerning guidelines, aspects, and potential regulations, technologies, tools, methodologies, and maintenance frameworks to be followed for any building in different project phases. The methodology followed has consisted of a process in stages, with literature review and a conceptual development to obtain an adaptable model to any public building. The adaptability of the framework relies on the definition of potential methods, information systems, and technologies that can support any phase during the Self-Protection Plan life cycle. Moreover, it was applied in a specific environment, such as in public buildings under the Spanish regulation using the most common tools and applications available. Results proved that although it is possible to make a base model applicable to any publicly owned building, there is an extensive and precise subsequent work of adaptation to specific cases in which the applicable legal framework makes this task challenging. Finally, the results obtained have allowed us to reflect on future research needs. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Industrial Management and Engineering in the Fourth Industrial Revolution)

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23 pages, 20288 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Development of a System Dynamics Simulation for Assessing Manufacturing Systems Based on the Digital Twin Concept

by Javier Gejo-García, Jan Reschke, Sergio Gallego-García and Manuel García-García

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(4), 2095; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12042095 - 17 Feb 2022

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 3118

Abstract

Historically, manufacturing system researchers and managers have often failed to consider all the areas, factors, and implications of a process within an integrated manufacturing model. Thus, the aim of this research was to develop an integral modeling approach for manufacturing processes in order to assess their status and performance. For this purpose, a novel conceptual model consisting of an integral definition of areas and flows is applied. As a result, manufacturing systems can be modeled, considering all related flows and decision-making options in the respective areas of production, maintenance, and quality. As a result, these models serve as the basis for the integral management and control of manufacturing systems in digital twin models for the regulation of process stability and quality with maintenance strategies. Thus, a system dynamics simulation model is developed for a metallurgical process. The goal of the simulation model is to provide a digital manufacturing system regulated with different maintenance, quality, and production strategies in order to secure quality and delivery service. The results show how the monitoring of all flows together with the optimal strategies in the quality and maintenance areas as a result of a regulated system can enable companies to increase their profitability and customer service level. In conclusion, the applied simulation case study allows better decision making, ensuring continuous optimization along the manufacturing asset lifecycle and providing a unique selling proposition for equipment producers and service engineering suppliers, as well as for production and assembly companies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Industrial Management and Engineering in the Fourth Industrial Revolution)

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21 pages, 33867 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Integration of Improvement Strategies and Industry 4.0 Technologies in a Dynamic Evaluation Model for Target-Oriented Optimization

by Sergio Gallego-García, Marcel Groten and Johannes Halstrick

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(3), 1530; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12031530 - 31 Jan 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 3341

Abstract

Many improvement techniques, methods, and technologies have been the driver of the development of supply chain systems. However, many managers and companies are focused only on new technologies without considering a comprehensive evaluation, and therefore lacking a real need and purpose. As a result, practitioners are often confused with regard of how to integrate improvement strategies and new technologies, as well as how to evaluate their convenience. Thus, this research aims to develop a model for the assessment for each manufacturing capability. This assessment aims to enable a continuous business transformation aligned with organizational goals; thus, a dynamic maturity assessment is chosen. Based on this, the study seeks to provide an integration model for relevant improvement strategies and new technologies that can be applied to any organization. As a result, the paper develops a sequence model, the GUVEI-Model, for the application of Industry 4.0 related technologies for continuous improvement in five different clusters. Furthermore, the research develops an evaluation scheme of optimization alternatives. Based on this conceptual development, a simulation model is built for specific use cases, such as additive manufacturing or virtual reality. The results show how the use cases along the GUVEI-Model application improve relevant indicators significantly, with the first two steps, obtaining and using data, acting as enablers of the three subsequent optimization steps that allow the virtualization, expansion, and improvement of capabilities and a higher impact on the target indicators than the first two steps. Finally, a discussion is presented about the utility of digital twin models for dynamic maturity level assessment and for simulating project improvement impacts before, during, and after their implementation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Industrial Management and Engineering in the Fourth Industrial Revolution)

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18 pages, 5948 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Design and Simulation of a Digital Twin Mobility Concept: An Electric Aviation System Dynamics Case Study with Capacity Constraints

by Philipp Winkler, Sergio Gallego-García and Marcel Groten

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(2), 848; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12020848 - 14 Jan 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2331

Abstract

Vertical mobility, as a commercial service, has been considered for scheduled volume and long-distance mobility services. To overcome its limits and increase its potential coverage, flexibility, and adaptability, centralized mobility hubs, similar to airports, will need to be constructed. Within this context, a customized and on-demand air mobility concept providing high flexibility in location combinations and time schedules could provide a solution for regional mobility needs. The aim of this research was to provide a generic framework for various mobility schemes as well as to design a holistic air mobility management concept for electric vertical mobility. A system dynamics simulation case study applied the conceptual model for an on-demand air mobility network of electric aircraft in a regional area with capacity constraints including vertiports, aircraft, charging, and parking stations. Therefore, bottlenecks and delays were quantified using a digital twin tool for customized scenarios. Simulation results showed that optimized maintenance management and the redistribution of aircraft units improved service indicators such as the number of customers served, and customer wait times as well as a reduction in the amount of time an aircraft spent on the ground. As a result, a digital twin air mobility network model with simulation capabilities may be a key factor for future implementation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Industrial Management and Engineering in the Fourth Industrial Revolution)

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25 pages, 18111 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Design and Simulation of Manufacturing Organizations Based on a Novel Function-Based Concept

by Mareike Winkler, Sergio Gallego-García and Manuel García-García

Appl. Sci. 2022, 12(2), 811; https://doi.org/10.3390/app12020811 - 13 Jan 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3092

Abstract

Historically, researchers and managers have often failed to consider organizations as a sum of functions leading to a set of capabilities that produce a product that can serve society’s needs. Furthermore, functions have increased with the development of industrial revolutions, however, many manufacturing organizations have not realized their full potential. As a result, many industrial organizations do not know why, where, and when the existing functions and projects for implementing new functions fail where tactical and strategic functions of a manufacturing organization are commonly over-seen. Thus, the aim of this research was to propose a holistic approach for manufacturing organizations in order to model their functions enabling the assessment, design, management, and control of operations and performance as well as to identify improvement potentials. For this purpose, a conceptual model was developed based on the evolution of functions along with the industrial revolutions. Moreover, using the conceptual model, manufacturing organizations can be modeled, considering common organizational functions in the respective areas of production, maintenance, and quality, etc., in the three planning horizons—strategic, tactical, and operative. As a result, the model serves as a basis for the integral management and control of manufacturing organizations. Moreover, it can be also used as a basis framework for a digital twin model for organizations. Thus, a system dynamics simulation model based on the conceptual model was developed for a generic organization. The goal of the simulation model is to provide an exemplary digital model of a manufacturing organization in which the different functions are applied with different methods, systems, and/or individuals along the development phases. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Industrial Management and Engineering in the Fourth Industrial Revolution)

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26 pages, 33609 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Systematic Improvement Model to Optimize Production Systems within Industry 4.0 Environments: A Simulation Case Study

by Marcel Groten and Sergio Gallego-García

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(23), 11112; https://doi.org/10.3390/app112311112 - 23 Nov 2021

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 4133

Abstract

The industrial revolutions and their impact on production systems have increased productivity and quality in manufacturing over time. Lean methods have been the driver of the development of production systems from the 1990s to the rise of the fourth industrial revolution, or Industry 4.0. However, many different approaches and methodologies have been described, applied, and discussed for achieving improvements in production systems. As a result, organizations are often confused in regard to the order, the convenience, and the outcomes intended by the different improvement strategies and techniques. This paper provides a systematic sequence of process optimization steps that can be applied to any organization. A conceptual model was built based on the systematic sequence. In addition, a simulation model was built with the goal of representing and quantifying the sequential steps of the conceptual model. The results of the simulation model show a clear improvement in quality, performance, and economic indicators, with the first two steps in the optimization sequence providing critical initial information, while the three last steps served as net contributors to a global production system improvement for demanding market scenarios. Finally, we analyzed the impacts of Industry 4.0 on production systems and developed a methodological sequence to design, select, implement, and control projects, even those that include Industry 4.0 technologies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Industrial Management and Engineering in the Fourth Industrial Revolution)

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20 pages, 3142 KiB

Open AccessArticle

An Optimized System to Reduce Procurement Risks and Stock-Outs: A Simulation Case Study for a Component Manufacturer

by Diego Gallego-García, Sergio Gallego-García and Manuel García-García

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(21), 10374; https://doi.org/10.3390/app112110374 - 04 Nov 2021

Cited by 7 | Viewed by 6141

Abstract

In the current global system; supply chains are at risk due to increasing procurement shortages, supply disruptions, and the reliability of on-time deliveries with the original order quantities. As a result, an anticipated management model is of vital importance to provide companies with the productive flexibility necessary to adapt quickly to supply changes, in order to ensure the quality and delivery time through efficient management of stocks and supply costs. In this context, this research aims to develop a system to complement classical procurement planning based on inventory management methods and MRP (material requirements planning) systems by considering suppliers’ behavior regarding procurement risks. For this purpose, a system is developed that seeks to simulate the impacts of procurement shortages of different natures. Moreover, the research investigates the development of a system that performs procurement planning of a component manufacturer to determine the supply orders necessary to meet the master production schedule. The system is analyzed based on a set of indicators in the event that the supplier of a material needed for production does not supply on time or has short-term problems. Several scenarios are simulated, and the results are quantified by changing the procurement order quantities, which may or may not follow the economic order quantity (EOQ) model, and the potential procurement disruptions or shortages. The results show how the simulation and anticipation of potential suppliers’ procurement behavior concerning potential shortages and their probability are key for successful procurement within a joint strategy with classical procurement methods. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Industrial Management and Engineering in the Fourth Industrial Revolution)

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17 pages, 2473 KiB

Open AccessArticle

A Novel Methodology for Assessing and Modeling Manufacturing Processes

by Jan Reschke and Sergio Gallego-García

Appl. Sci. 2021, 11(21), 10117; https://doi.org/10.3390/app112110117 - 28 Oct 2021

Cited by 10 | Viewed by 3487

Abstract

Historically, researchers and practitioners have often failed to consider all the areas, factors, and implications of a process within an integrated manufacturing model. Thus, the aim of this research was to propose a holistic approach to manufacturing processes in order to assess their status and performance to improve target indicators such as product quality. For this purpose, a conceptual model is designed by identifying areas, flows, and indicators that are relevant to the assessment of a manufacturing system. Moreover, using the conceptual model, manufacturing systems can be modeled considering all related flows and decision-making options in the respective areas of production, maintenance, and quality. As a result, this model serves as the basis for the integral management and control of manufacturing systems in digital twin models for the regulation of process stability and quality with maintenance strategies. Thus, an assessment based on the conceptual model improves the knowledge level of all elements involved in the manufacturing of a product according to the desired quality specifications. The continuous monitoring of all areas and flows together with the optimal strategies in the quality and maintenance areas can enable companies to increase their profitability and customer service level. In this context, the discussion section lists key decision aspects for the assessment and improvement of manufacturing systems, while also providing a methodological sequence to evaluate and improve manufacturing systems. In conclusion, the conceptual approach allows better decision making, ensuring continuous optimization along the manufacturing asset lifecycle and providing a unique selling proposition for equipment producers and service engineering suppliers, as well as for production and assembly companies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Industrial Management and Engineering in the Fourth Industrial Revolution)

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