IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management
Guest Editors:
Dr. Antonello Cammarano * (Managing Guest Editor)
Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, IT
acammarano@unisa.it
Prof. Moacir Godinho Filho
EM Normandie Business School Metis Lab, FR
Federal University of São Carlos, BR
mgodinhofilho@em-normandie.fr
Prof. Francesca Michelino
Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Salerno, IT
fmichelino@unisa.it
Prof. Julian Müller
Erfurt University of Applied Sciences, DE and Seeburg Castle Private University, AT
julian.mueller@fau.de
Dr. Serena Strazzullo
Department of Industrial Engineering, University of Naples Federico II, IT
serena.strazzullo@unina.it
Dr. Pierluigi Zerbino
Department of Energy, Systems, Territory, and Construction Engineering, University of Pisa, IT
pierluigi.zerbino@unipi.it
Theme
The integration of emerging technologies and digital solutions into business operations has been extensively discussed (Bolatan et al., 2022; Chaudhuri et al., 2023; Frank et al., 2019). The advent of Industry 4.0 has underscored the significance of technological development in fostering business growth and optimizing supply chain processes (Olsen & Tomlin, 2019; Srhir et al., 2023; Strazzullo et al., 2023). However, the effective implementation of emerging technologies requires a nuanced understanding of their practical applications, considering both economic development and societal well-being (Cammarano et al., 2023; Khan et al., 2023; Kumar et al., 2024). This special issue aims to explore the tangible opportunities for implementing emerging technologies within the business landscape. The overarching goal is to bridge the gap between implementation proposals – drawing on case studies, pilot projects, and simulations – and widely-implemented best practices. This transition is essential for ensuring that the potential of emerging technologies is not only demonstrated in isolated instances but is harnessed to foster widespread, impactful change across various sectors. Understanding the “lessons learned” from a wide range of case studies showcasing both successes and failures in implementing emerging technologies is essential. Exploring the concept will open doors to discovering reliable and sustainable business strategies that have the potential to evolve into future industry standards.
Stimulating the development of frameworks, methodologies, and approaches in the field of engineering and technology management is essential to address this gap. Transitioning from case studies to best practices can be achieved at the intersection of emerging technologies and engineering management principles. Engineering management scholars can bring a distinctive perspective by combining technical expertise with strategic vision. This special issue aims at not only to showcase technological advancements but also to explore the organizational, managerial, and systemic changes that these innovations require. By focusing on the practical application and scalability of emerging technologies within the realms of Industry 4.0 and 5.0, this special issue aims to contribute to a body of knowledge that is not only technologically forward-looking but also grounded in the realities of managing engineering projects and enterprises in an increasingly digital world.
Indeed, the hype surrounding emerging technologies, as illustrated by Gartner’s Hype Cycle Technology curves (Gartner, 2023), often leads to initial excitement followed by a phase of disillusionment. Practical experiences reveal that initial expectations may not always align with the actual outcomes, emphasizing the need to identify where and to which extent emerging technologies can truly make a difference before contemplating a radical shift in business models (Perano et al., 2023). For instance, blockchain technology has attracted significant attention for its potential to make data management more transparent and secure (Aloini et al., 2023). However, critiques ranging from its questionable ability to fully certify information to environmental concerns (Karuppiah et al., 2023; Toufaily et al., 2021) have been calling for a more nuanced understanding of its applicability and limitations (Pandey et al., 2022; Sharma et al., 2022). Similarly, the recent surge of interest in the metaverse has generated widespread excitement. Yet, its application for business purposes has witnessed notable failures, such as the setbacks in projects undertaken by META, and its practical implications for businesses have not always lived up to the initial hype (Dwivedi et al., 2022). In the last decade, artificial intelligence (AI) has been at the forefront of discussions regarding its potential to significantly increase organizational efficiency. However, debates persist regarding its impact on employment and the disruption of existing human skills (Jorzik et al., 2023; Varriale et al., 2023). This underscores the importance of pinpointing specific sectors and processes where AI can genuinely make a difference and identifying best practices that harness its potential while mitigating implementation risks (Deiva Ganesh & Kalpana, 2022; Samadhiya et al., 2023).
The cyclical nature of technology trends underscores the need for an engineering phase in order to switch from a limited number of pilot projects to large scale applications. This phase is crucial in guiding technological development toward sectors, processes, and activities where technologies can truly add value.
Sustainable and impactful implementation becomes paramount, especially in light of Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0 paradigms, alongside the socio-economic challenges businesses have faced, including financial crises, wars, and pandemics (Ghobakhloo et al., 2023; Xu et al., 2021). Emerging technologies possess the potential to enhance business resilience, optimize processes, improve performance, and contribute to social change if appropriately utilized (Ramezani & Camarinha-Matos, 2020; Strazzullo et al., 2022).
This special issue aims to transition from proposing isolated cases to a more comprehensive application of emerging technologies, highlighting areas where they can genuinely make a difference. The literature and scientific publications suitable for this special issue focus specifically on the identification of best practices utilizing emerging technologies. These practices should emphasize either the sustainability aspects of business operations, such as possible quantification of externalities (Zerbino, 2022), or their impact on performance enhancement. In addition to company-internal perspectives, we welcome a supply chain-spanning analysis of technologies (Lerman et al., 2022) , resulting new forms of collaboration (Schmidt et al., 2023), or market performance enhancements, addressing the differences and challenges in implementing emerging technologies in specific or multiple sectors, always with the purpose of suggesting the employment of such technologies on either large scale or in substitution of widely diffused traditional practices. Further, we aim to extend the perspective on ecosystems (Kazantsev et al., 2023) of Industry 4.0/5.0 technologies that include all actors up to small and medium-sized enterprises and their specific requirements in interplay with their larger partners (Müller et al., 2024).
Special Issue’s scope, including potential themes to be addressed in the Special Issue
This special issue focuses on the potential of emerging technologies to enhance business operability and sustainability in a stable manner, transitioning from isolated case studies to steady best practices. With this aim, the following contributions summarize the scope of this call: a) qualitative and theoretical proposals to conceptualize the issue of switching from single case studies to best practices, b) state-of-the-art analyses to delineate areas where there is the higher likelihood of building sustainable business practices, and c) quantitative contributions utilizing advanced techniques such as machine learning, data mining, and artificial intelligence. Pure presentation of models of implementation within a specific business process, case studies, simulations and pilot projects are beyond consideration.
The goal is also to encourage research that analyzes technological opportunities and forecasts future developments, aiding in the understanding of emerging technologies’ future and their integration into best practices. Additionally, the special issue encourages submissions not only investigating one specific
technology, but also highlighting synergies and antagonyms in the joint use of two or more technologies for novel and effective business solutions.
By fostering this comprehensive exploration, the special issue aims to contribute to the development of best practices that leverage emerging technologies for sustainable and effective business operations. Researchers are invited to submit their work for consideration, helping to advance our understanding of the real-world impact and potential of emerging technologies in the business domain.
Contributions are welcomed in various topic areas that include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Implementation of Industry 4.0 and 5.0 Technologies and associated sustainability aspects
a. Integration of Industry 4.0/5.0 technologies in business for enhanced efficiency and sustainability.
b. Synergies and potential conflicts emerging from the joint use of different emerging technologies in business solutions.
c. Supply-chain or ecosystem analysis of interdependencies of technology implementation including various stakeholders. - Beyond the hype: Limitations and Lessons Learned from Emerging Technologies
a. “Lessons learned” from the analysis of successes and failures of technological implementation in specific sectors.
b. Socio-economic and environmental potentials and challenges in implementing emerging technologies such as AI or Metaverse, among further. - Business Models and Organizational Change in Industry 4.0/5.0
a. The relationship between Industry 4.0/5.0 technologies and the transformation of business models and associated aspects like human skills.
b. Valorization of environmental and social value generation, including global value chains and developing countries towards a Circular Economy
c. Ecosystem business models resulting from interdependent technologies and actors. - Frameworks for Technology Implementation and Assessment Tools
a. Frameworks and procedures to drive companies or entire supply chains and ecosystems in the effective implementation of emerging technologies.
b. Quantitative assessment of the performance enhancement achieved from the application of innovative business practices.
Notes for Prospective Authors
Submitted papers should not have been previously published nor be currently under consideration for publication elsewhere. Conference papers may only be submitted if the paper has been completely re-written and if appropriate written permissions have been obtained from any copyright holders of the original paper. Manuscripts should be submitted through the publisher’s online system. Submissions will be reviewed according to the journal’s rigorous standards and procedures through a double-blind peer review by at least two qualified reviewers. We welcome informal enquiries relating to the Special Issue, proposed topics and potential fit with the Special Issue objectives.
Enquiries should be directed to Dr. Antonello Cammarano: acammarano@unisa.it
Submission Process
Please prepare the manuscript according to IEEE-TEM’s guidelines (http://ieee-tmc.org/tem-guidelines) and submit to the journal’s Manuscript Central site (https://mc.manuscriptcentral.com/tem-ieee). Please upload the paper on the IEEE TEM Editorial Manager clearly indicating in the cover letter that the
submission is for the IEEE TEM Special Issue on ‘Unlocking the real value of emerging technologies for a sustainable and smart business: switching from case studies to best practices.
Schedule
The timeline of this special issue is as follows:
- Submissions open: 01 May 2024
- Submissions deadline: 31 December 2024
- Review process: On a rolling basis from 01 May 2024 – 31 January 2025
Guest editor bios
Antonello Cammarano is a Researcher at the Department of Industrial Engineering of the University of Salerno. He received his PhD in Engineering and Economics of Innovation from the University of Salerno in 2016. His research interests comprise patents, innovation management, knowledge management,
technological strategies, technological opportunities, start-ups, supply chain management, open innovation, emerging technologies, and sustainable development. He is a member of the editorial review board at the journal IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management. His works have been published in journals, such as IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management, Journal of Knowledge Management, Management Decision, Technological Forecasting and Social Change.
Moacir Godinho Filho is a full professor of Supply Chain Management, Operations Management and Decision Sciences at EM Normandie Business School France. He is also affiliated to the graduate program in Industrial Engineering at Federal University of São Carlos (Brazil) and the department of Materials and Production at Aalborg University (Denmark). He has a PhD and MSC in Industrial Engineering from the Federal University of São Carlos – Brazil. He was also a visiting scholar at the University of Wisconsin in Madison (USA), North Carolina State University (USA), and Northwestern University (USA). His research interests are supply chain management, operations management, sustainable operations, industry 4.0, production planning and control, lean manufacturing, and Quick Response Manufacturing. Dr. Godinho Filho already supervised more than 15 PhD theses and has published more than 150 papers in journals with highly selective editorial standards, the great majority with high Impact Factor in Operations Management field.
Francesca Michelino is an Associate Professor of Marketing and New Product Development and Delegate to Technology Transfer at the Department of Industrial Engineering of the University of Salerno. She received the Industrial Engineering and Management degree from the University of Napoli Federico II in 1998. She is the co-author of more than 70 scientific studies in journals such as IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management, Technological Forecasting and Social Change and Creativity and Innovation Management. Her research interests include supply chain management, innovation and technology
management, open innovation, emerging technologies and sustainable development.
Julian Müller is Professor for Supply Chain Management at Erfurt University of Applied Sciences (Germany) and Professor for Digital Business at Seeburg Castle Private University (Austria). He received his PhD degree and venia legendi from Friedrich-Alexander-University Erlangen-Nürnberg (Germany). His research fields include Digital Transformation in the context of industrial supply chains, technology and innovation management, and sustainability. His research is published in scientific journals such as European Management Journal, IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management, Industrial Marketing Management, International Journal of Production Research, Journal of Cleaner Production, Supply Chain Management, and Technological Forecasting and Social Change.
Serena Strazzullo is Assistant Professor at the University of Naples Federico II (Italy). Serena received the B.S. and M.S. degrees with honors in management engineering from the University of Naples Federico II and the title of Doctor Europæus with a PhD in industrial engineering from the University of Naples Federico II in 2021. Her research is characterized by a cross-disciplinary focus in the fields of sustainable supply chain management, Industry 4.0 technologies, and operations management. She is associate editor of Sustainable Development and has guest-edited special issues in several international journals (e.g., Creativity and Innovation Management, Expert Systems, Journal of Innovation and Knowledge, etc.).
Pierluigi Zerbino, PhD, is a Senior Assistant Professor of Circular Economy and Digital Innovation at the University of Pisa. His main research areas include the application of new technologies, such as Blockchain and cutting-edge Business Analytics, to innovate business processes. Furthermore, he focuses on the qualitative and quantitative assessment of Circular Economy impacts and externalities. He is a proponent and participant in CO2NSTRUCT, an EU-funded Horizon project focusing on the Circular Economy in the construction sector. He has disseminated his research findings in widely recognized scientific journals, such as Technovation, International Journal of Production Economics, and Technological Forecasting and Social Change.
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IEEE Transactions on Engineering Management is journal of the Technology and Engineering Management Society of IEEE, published quarterly since 1954. It is dedicated to the publication of peer-reviewed original contributions, by researchers and practitioners, regarding the theory and practice of engineering, technology, and innovation management.
Editor in Chief
Tugrul U Daim, PhD and Fulbright Scholar
Professor and Associate Director
Mark O. Hatfield Cybersecurity & Cyber Defense Policy Center
Maseeh College of Engineering and Computer Science
Portland State University, Portland OR
United States
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