RAPIDLY ARRIVING FUTURES: FUTURE READINESS FOR INDUSTRY 4.0

Authors

  • Anthon P Botha Graduate School of Technology Management, Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and IT, University of Pretoria and TechnoScene (Pty) Ltd, South Africa

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7166/29-3-2056

Abstract

The future being shaped by Industry 4.0 has arrived. Tools are available that anticipate the future, approximate it, estimate it, and select a preferred future; but do we know how to make disruptive futures part of our business and lives? Building on technology readiness levels and manufacturing readiness levels, future readiness levels and a future readiness index are suggested in this paper. The future readiness levels (FRL) are based on readiness at the capability levels of technology, behaviour, event, and future thinking. A future readiness index (FRI) is then determined, based on the entire future thinking space (technology, behaviour, events, and capability to do future thinking). Once the FRL and FRI are known, it will become clear what strategic interventions are required to thrive in a preferred future. The existing and desired situations in future readiness are compared, and the gaps are addressed. This approach provides a tool for the internal monitoring and evaluation of the state of the organisation to remain sustainable and competitive in a future that is fast arriving; to compare organisations competitively in a similar cluster; to benchmark at industry level; and ultimately to have the potential to measure the future readiness of nations.

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Author Biography

Anthon P Botha, Graduate School of Technology Management, Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and IT, University of Pretoria and TechnoScene (Pty) Ltd, South Africa

Dr Anthon Botha is Managing Director of TechnoScene (Pty) Ltd, a Future Thinking consultancy that operates in the realms of technology management, innovation management and knowledge management. He is also a part-time academic at the Graduate School of Technology Management at the University of Pretoria and Extra-ordinary Professor at the Department of Industrial Engineering, Stellenbosch University, South Africa.

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Published

2018-11-09

How to Cite

Botha, A. P. (2018). RAPIDLY ARRIVING FUTURES: FUTURE READINESS FOR INDUSTRY 4.0. The South African Journal of Industrial Engineering, 29(3), 148–160. https://doi.org/10.7166/29-3-2056

Issue

Vol. 29 No. 3 (2018)

Section

Special Edition

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