From Industry 4.0 to Industry 6.0: Tracing the Evolution of Industrial Paradigms Through the Lens of Management Fashion Theory
The industrial landscape has undergone rapid conceptual evolution in recent years, marked by the successive emergence of Industry 4.0, Industry 5.0, and the nascent Industry 6.0. This study explores the emergence of Industry 6.0 as a prospective industrial paradigm, characterized by intelligent, aut...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Systems |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-8954/13/5/387 |
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| author | Dag Øivind Madsen Kåre Slåtten Terje Berg |
| author_facet | Dag Øivind Madsen Kåre Slåtten Terje Berg |
| author_sort | Dag Øivind Madsen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The industrial landscape has undergone rapid conceptual evolution in recent years, marked by the successive emergence of Industry 4.0, Industry 5.0, and the nascent Industry 6.0. This study explores the emergence of Industry 6.0 as a prospective industrial paradigm, characterized by intelligent, autonomous, and sustainable systems, which builds upon the digital foundations of its predecessors. Using management fashion theory as a theoretical lens, we analyze how these industrial concepts arise, diffuse, and potentially become institutionalized within management discourse. The study reveals that the adoption and dissemination of these paradigms are influenced not only by technological advancements but also by the discursive efforts of a fashion-setting community comprising academics, policymakers, consultants, and media actors. Industry 6.0, while still largely speculative, continues a broader trend of using numbered industrial revolutions to frame ongoing innovation. The findings suggest that such paradigms serve both practical and rhetorical purposes, driving organizational change while also reflecting shifting societal and managerial values. The study concludes with reflections on the implications for managers and policymakers as they navigate the evolving industrial landscape. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-eec9fb556ead46958868aaeb4e64a560 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2079-8954 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Systems |
| spelling | doaj-art-eec9fb556ead46958868aaeb4e64a5602025-08-20T03:12:07ZengMDPI AGSystems2079-89542025-05-0113538710.3390/systems13050387From Industry 4.0 to Industry 6.0: Tracing the Evolution of Industrial Paradigms Through the Lens of Management Fashion TheoryDag Øivind Madsen0Kåre Slåtten1Terje Berg2Department of Business, Marketing and Law, USN School of Business, University of South-Eastern Norway, 3511 Hønefoss, NorwayDepartment of Business, Marketing and Law, USN School of Business, University of South-Eastern Norway, 3511 Hønefoss, NorwayNTNU Business School, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, 7491 Trondheim, NorwayThe industrial landscape has undergone rapid conceptual evolution in recent years, marked by the successive emergence of Industry 4.0, Industry 5.0, and the nascent Industry 6.0. This study explores the emergence of Industry 6.0 as a prospective industrial paradigm, characterized by intelligent, autonomous, and sustainable systems, which builds upon the digital foundations of its predecessors. Using management fashion theory as a theoretical lens, we analyze how these industrial concepts arise, diffuse, and potentially become institutionalized within management discourse. The study reveals that the adoption and dissemination of these paradigms are influenced not only by technological advancements but also by the discursive efforts of a fashion-setting community comprising academics, policymakers, consultants, and media actors. Industry 6.0, while still largely speculative, continues a broader trend of using numbered industrial revolutions to frame ongoing innovation. The findings suggest that such paradigms serve both practical and rhetorical purposes, driving organizational change while also reflecting shifting societal and managerial values. The study concludes with reflections on the implications for managers and policymakers as they navigate the evolving industrial landscape.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-8954/13/5/387Industry 4.0Industry 5.0Industry 6.0management fashion theorytechnological changemanagement discourse |
| spellingShingle | Dag Øivind Madsen Kåre Slåtten Terje Berg From Industry 4.0 to Industry 6.0: Tracing the Evolution of Industrial Paradigms Through the Lens of Management Fashion Theory Systems Industry 4.0 Industry 5.0 Industry 6.0 management fashion theory technological change management discourse |
| title | From Industry 4.0 to Industry 6.0: Tracing the Evolution of Industrial Paradigms Through the Lens of Management Fashion Theory |
| title_full | From Industry 4.0 to Industry 6.0: Tracing the Evolution of Industrial Paradigms Through the Lens of Management Fashion Theory |
| title_fullStr | From Industry 4.0 to Industry 6.0: Tracing the Evolution of Industrial Paradigms Through the Lens of Management Fashion Theory |
| title_full_unstemmed | From Industry 4.0 to Industry 6.0: Tracing the Evolution of Industrial Paradigms Through the Lens of Management Fashion Theory |
| title_short | From Industry 4.0 to Industry 6.0: Tracing the Evolution of Industrial Paradigms Through the Lens of Management Fashion Theory |
| title_sort | from industry 4 0 to industry 6 0 tracing the evolution of industrial paradigms through the lens of management fashion theory |
| topic | Industry 4.0 Industry 5.0 Industry 6.0 management fashion theory technological change management discourse |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-8954/13/5/387 |
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