The Role of Digital Infrastructure and Skills in Enhancing Labor Productivity: Insights from Industry 4.0 in the European Union
The adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies supports the digital transformation of production processes, making them more efficient. This study examines how digital infrastructure, digital skills, and the use of cloud technologies influence labor productivity in European Union countries. Using econome...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Systems |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-8954/13/2/113 |
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| author | Ofelia Ema Aleca Florin Mihai |
| author_facet | Ofelia Ema Aleca Florin Mihai |
| author_sort | Ofelia Ema Aleca |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies supports the digital transformation of production processes, making them more efficient. This study examines how digital infrastructure, digital skills, and the use of cloud technologies influence labor productivity in European Union countries. Using econometric methods, including linear regressions and fixed-effects panel regressions, the analysis highlights the important role digital skills play in boosting productivity. It also identifies the adoption of cloud solutions as a catalyst for process efficiency, while widespread high-speed internet coverage supports the connectivity of smart systems. However, variations in the development of digital infrastructure and workforce readiness across EU member states present challenges to overall labor productivity. The study concludes that strategic investments in automation and digital infrastructure, along with improving the workforce’s digital skills, are essential to making Industry 4.0 a key pillar of economic competitiveness. By examining how workforce digital skills and certain Industry 4.0 technologies affect labor productivity, this research adds valuable insights to the specialized literature. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-822e10ce77e543b19a6449b037a714b4 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2079-8954 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Systems |
| spelling | doaj-art-822e10ce77e543b19a6449b037a714b42025-08-20T03:12:01ZengMDPI AGSystems2079-89542025-02-0113211310.3390/systems13020113The Role of Digital Infrastructure and Skills in Enhancing Labor Productivity: Insights from Industry 4.0 in the European UnionOfelia Ema Aleca0Florin Mihai1Management Information Systems Department, Faculty of Accounting and Management Information Systems, Bucharest University of Economic Studies, 010552 Bucharest, RomaniaManagement Information Systems Department, Faculty of Accounting and Management Information Systems, Bucharest University of Economic Studies, 010552 Bucharest, RomaniaThe adoption of Industry 4.0 technologies supports the digital transformation of production processes, making them more efficient. This study examines how digital infrastructure, digital skills, and the use of cloud technologies influence labor productivity in European Union countries. Using econometric methods, including linear regressions and fixed-effects panel regressions, the analysis highlights the important role digital skills play in boosting productivity. It also identifies the adoption of cloud solutions as a catalyst for process efficiency, while widespread high-speed internet coverage supports the connectivity of smart systems. However, variations in the development of digital infrastructure and workforce readiness across EU member states present challenges to overall labor productivity. The study concludes that strategic investments in automation and digital infrastructure, along with improving the workforce’s digital skills, are essential to making Industry 4.0 a key pillar of economic competitiveness. By examining how workforce digital skills and certain Industry 4.0 technologies affect labor productivity, this research adds valuable insights to the specialized literature.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-8954/13/2/113Industry 4.0labor productivitydigital infrastructuredigital skillscloud technology adoptioninternet coverage |
| spellingShingle | Ofelia Ema Aleca Florin Mihai The Role of Digital Infrastructure and Skills in Enhancing Labor Productivity: Insights from Industry 4.0 in the European Union Systems Industry 4.0 labor productivity digital infrastructure digital skills cloud technology adoption internet coverage |
| title | The Role of Digital Infrastructure and Skills in Enhancing Labor Productivity: Insights from Industry 4.0 in the European Union |
| title_full | The Role of Digital Infrastructure and Skills in Enhancing Labor Productivity: Insights from Industry 4.0 in the European Union |
| title_fullStr | The Role of Digital Infrastructure and Skills in Enhancing Labor Productivity: Insights from Industry 4.0 in the European Union |
| title_full_unstemmed | The Role of Digital Infrastructure and Skills in Enhancing Labor Productivity: Insights from Industry 4.0 in the European Union |
| title_short | The Role of Digital Infrastructure and Skills in Enhancing Labor Productivity: Insights from Industry 4.0 in the European Union |
| title_sort | role of digital infrastructure and skills in enhancing labor productivity insights from industry 4 0 in the european union |
| topic | Industry 4.0 labor productivity digital infrastructure digital skills cloud technology adoption internet coverage |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-8954/13/2/113 |
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