fourth industrial revolution

In the course of any historical era, policymaking is governed by social, technological and developmentalist formations. As science and technology face paradigmatic changes during different historical eras, public and strategic policymaking is on the threshold of entering a new technological order influenced by such issues as balance, equilibrium and software act. Whenever the technological revolution emerges, the nature and public policies of the government undergo fundamental changes. The main question raised by the present paper is, “What are the signs and functions of policymaking in the Fourth Industrial Revolution?” The hypothesis of this paper emphasizes that “policymaking of the Fourth Industrial Revolution adopts a software, communitarian, balancing and equilibrium making approach toward managing newly emerging crises.” Each of the foregoing concepts and signs is considered as part of the nature and function of policymaking in the emerging technological era. The data analysis and content analysis methodology was used in compiling this paper. For the purpose of delineating the policymaking indices in the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the author benefited from the “digital and structural transformation approach” of such theoreticians as Schwab. The findings discussed in the paper indicate that, firstly, the mechanisms of the welfare government and the communitarian government are regarded as the main axes of policymaking of the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Secondly, such signs of communitarian, balancing and equilibrium acts leave their impact on effective and constructive governance.

The purpose of this research is to design a strategic model of online banking relational marketing in the fourth industrial revolution with a foundational data approach. The research method is applied-developmental research in terms of its purpose and exploratory in terms of its nature. The statistical population of the research included 11 experts from the banking industry and the sampling was done in a purposeful and snowball type. Foundation data theory was used to collect and analyze data. The data collection tool is a semi-structured interview. Data analysis and model design were done in three stages of open, central and selective coding. The findings showed that emerging behaviors and new developments in relational marketing are key causal conditions, while the development of relational marketing components, changing customer behavior and the fourth industrial revolution were identified as ground conditions. This study also showed the need for banking transformations, external disruptions, relationship management and human capital transformation, and barriers to online banking as intervenors. Tactical transformative programs in the open banking system, using customer data for banking strategy, opportunism and loyalty with a constructivist perspective were identified as effective strategies. The consequences of this model include the transformation of the banking system and new banking, investing in new forms, increasing income by aligning online services and managing relationships with virtual customers.

The present study aimed to provide a cultural development model aligned with the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The research was applied in terms of its purpose, cross-sectional regarding time, and of a mixed-methods nature (sequential exploratory) conducted in two qualitative and quantitative phases. The qualitative phase was a meta-synthesis, while the quantitative phase was descriptive-correlational. The statistical population in the qualitative phase included document analysis and experts from public organizations in Iran as well as academic scholars. The sample size was determined to be 20 individuals in the qualitative phase, based on the principle of saturation, and 335 individuals in the quantitative phase, using sample size calculations for structural equation modeling. Sampling was purposive in the qualitative phase and non-random quota sampling in the quantitative phase. In the qualitative phase, data collection utilized two

(a) meta-synthesis (research synthesis) based on a systematic review and (b) semi-structured interviews. Reliability in this phase was ensured through intracoder reliability, and content validity was assessed. In the quantitative phase, descriptive and inferential statistical analyses were applied. Tests such as one-sample t-tests and structural equation modeling using SPSS and SmartPLS software were employed. Additionally, fuzzy AHP was used to prioritize the components. The results indicated that cultural development aligned with the Fourth Industrial Revolution includes six components: organizational structure, strategic thinking, innovation, individuals, leadership, and technical systems. Among these components, technical systems were identified as the top priority.

The main purpose of this research is to identify the key managerial competencies in the era of the fourth industrial revolution with the Meta-Synthesis approach.

This research is developmental in terms of purpose. In terms of the nature of the data and the style of data analysis, it is part of qualitative research. And based on data collection, it is documented. From the point of view of the research method, it is analytical-descriptive, and the data of the research were collected and analyzed using the seven-stage meta- Synthesis qualitative method of Sandelowski and Barroso. In order to identify the key managerial competencies in the era of the fourth industrial revolution, the researchers systematically searched for researches related to these factors in 6 scientific databases: Science Direct, Emerald, Wiley, Sage, Taylor & Francis, Springer, as well as the Scopus citation database between 2010 and 2024. In the initial investigations, 107 sources were found, and after screening and validation and using the CASP tool, 18 articles were finally analyzed.

Based on the findings of the research, the key managerial competencies in the era of the fourth industrial revolution include six main competencies; There are individual, social, methodological, professional, technical and managerial competencies, and 225 sub-competencies.

Managers who work in the era of the fourth industrial revolution need different competencies to be successful, and the identified competencies model can provide a basis for selecting and appointing, evaluating performance, training and empowering managers.

Despite the technological revolution transforming work processes, digital transformation requires inherent human skills to ensure the usability and efficiency of digital technologies. Accordingly, the labor market must adapt to these related demands. The Fourth Industrial Revolution has significantly impacted the workforce, leading to major shifts in job profiles. The aim of this research is to design a competency model for the workforce during the Fourth Industrial Revolution and to test this model in large manufacturing companies in East Azerbaijan Province.

This study is classified as applied-developmental research and employs an exploratory mixed-method approach (qualitative-quantitative). In the qualitative phase, the grounded theory method and NVivo software were utilized to determine the structure and components of the workforce competency model in manufacturing industries. In the quantitative phase, structural equation modeling was employed. The statistical population in the qualitative phase included academic experts and industrial managers, while in the quantitative phase, industrial managers formed the population (302 individuals). The qualitative sample was selected based on theoretical saturation, resulting in 17 expert participants for interviews. In the quantitative phase, 90 managers were selected using the rule of thumb sampling method. The study's spatial domain included large manufacturing industries in East Azerbaijan Province, and the temporal domain was the year 1401 (2022-2023). Research tools included semi-structured interviews for the qualitative phase and questionnaires based on qualitative findings for the quantitative phase. Data analysis in the qualitative phase was conducted using open, axial, and selective coding, while structural equation modeling was employed for quantitative analysis.

The findings indicate that causal, contextual, and intervention conditions directly influence the design of a workforce competency model for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Causal conditions, such as the dynamic technological environment and the need for new skills, push the workforce towards continuous learning and skill updates. Contextual conditions, including cultural support and infrastructure investment, strengthen learning processes and competency development. Intervention conditions, such as managerial interventions and training programs, enhance workforce capabilities in technical and social domains. These factors contribute to achieving organizational goals and improving job satisfaction by enhancing organizational performance and work quality. The findings underscore the necessity of adopting appropriate strategies to continuously improve workforce competencies, enabling organizations to succeed in today’s competitive environment.

The research results highlight the importance of identifying key skills for designing a workforce competency model in the Fourth Industrial Revolution. These skills include mastery of new technologies, social skills and collaboration, adaptability and flexibility, and critical and creative thinking. These competencies are crucial for strengthening workforce capabilities and addressing new workplace challenges. Furthermore, the study emphasizes the need for supportive cultural and governmental infrastructures to facilitate successful implementation. Consistent training and development programs should be employed to enhance employee skills. Ultimately, this competency model supports organizations in increasing productivity, improving work quality, and enhancing job satisfaction and talent retention.

Nowadays, intelligence and industry 4.0 has been the focus of many industries due to its various benefits such as tracking raw materials and manufactured products, reducing costs, etc. One of the most important factors in facilitating the implementation of Industry 4.0 is human resources. The purpose of this research is to investigate the role of human resources on the implementation of Industry 4.0 in the steel industry of Yazd. Using research literature, 13 factors related to human resources affecting the implementation of Industry 4.0 have been identified. In the following, by using the fuzzy delphi approach and selecting 17 university professors and managers of Yazd steel industry by snowball sampling and asking for their opinions, three factors of continuous learning ability, data analysis and business intelligence, and security and privacy protection weren’t confirmed. Also, based on the request of the authors of the research from the related experts, by adding factors related to the implementation of Industry 4.0, three factors of freedom of action in doing work, sufficient time to do work, and innovation and creativity were introduced. Finally, the cause-and-effect relationships between the factors were investigated using the fuzzy dematel approach. The results showed that cooperation and interaction are the most important factors for the implementation of Industry 4.0 in Yazd steel industry. Perceived usefulness and recruitment of skilled labor are known as the most effective factors, and innovation, creativity, learning, and empowerment are known as the most effective factors on the implementation of Industry 4.0.

An Empirical Case Study of E-Commerce Development of Leading Countries in The Era of Digital Economy
The emergence of new technologies of the digital economy era has increased the speed of e-commerce development globally and has become a factor for competitiveness in this sector. Hence, examining the upstream documents in order to identify the key factors driving the growth of e-commerce in the leading countries in the digital economy era, would support to find more effective policy solutions for Iran. In the present study, the theoretical background of the research was first investigated, and then a systematic review of the sixteen documents in the field of e-commerce from four selected pioneering countries was conducted. After reviewing the documents, the qualitative content analysis of the documents was done and led to the identification of four fundamental drivers for the development of digital infrastructures and five drivers for the development of e-commerce. The key drivers for the development of digital infrastructures are: development and strengthening of digital data connection, data storage and processing infrastructure, data terminal and device, digital service infrastructure and applications. The five key drivers identified also include strengthening digital adaptation by emerging technologies, digital business context, rules and regulations, export, international cooperation and development of sustainable e-commerce for social responsibilities and environment protection. Then, based on these findings and applying the Pazhek and Gefi fuzzy cognitive mind map software, the documents of the selected countries were analyzed and it was found that the driver of development and strengthening of digital data connection infrastructure shows the most effectiveness and efficiency. Finally, suggestions for Iran were presented.

The aim of the research was the agile business model of ARVAND Petrochemical Company in the environment of the fourth industrial revolution using business process management systems. The research has been done in an exploratory and survey way. In the qualitative part of the Delphi method and in the quantitative part of the interpretive structural model method and structural equations, it was done. In the qualitative part as well as the interpretative structural model method of the community, managers and experts in ARVAND Petrochemical Company were investigated, and 12 people were selected from the available judgmental sampling method. Using the library technique, the components affecting the model were identified. First, using the Delphi technique, screening and evaluation of the identification components have been done. In the following, modeling has been done using the Delphi method and the interpretive structural method. The software used is EXCEL and MICMAC. The quantitative population of employees of ARVAND Petrochemical Company was 1700 people, using Cochran's formula, 317 people were selected as a sample. Based on the researcher's questionnaire based on qualitative analysis, data analysis was done using coding and path analysis. Data analysis was done using coding and path analysis. Based on sampling, in order to fit the proposed model, structural equation model technique was used in SMARTPLS software. Based on the Delphi technique, five categories of main factors including business efficiency, business integration, and business planning and business infrastructure were identified. The use of agile business model by ARVAND Petrochemical Company in the environment of the fourth industrial revolution by using business process management systems can help improve business efficiency and performance. By implementing an agile business model, this company will be able to quickly respond to the needs and changes of the market and technology by accelerating processes and making decisions more flexible. By using business process management systems, ARVAND Petrochemical can optimize its processes and reduce costs and production interruptions by reducing production and supply times.

The main goal of this research is to assess the readiness of countries for the Fourth Industrial Revolution. The study aims to provide a model using artificial intelligence algorithms, such as clustering and classification, to predict the movement of countries towards Industry 4.0.

The research utilizes fast-density clustering (FDC) to categorize countries into distinct clusters. Subsequently, the kNN and SVM algorithms are employed for modeling and predicting countries' movements. Additionally, swarm intelligence algorithms are used to optimize the performance of the algorithms.

One of the achievements of this research is the development of a composite index for the classification of countries and predicting their movement toward Industry 4.0. The countries are categorized into three clusters based on their readiness for the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and the characteristics and trends of each cluster are elucidated. Another finding is the optimization of the kNN and SVM algorithms, demonstrating their superior performance compared to other algorithms.

Originality: 

The proposed composite index outperforms similar algorithms, indicating the effectiveness of the proposed method in predicting countries' movement toward Industry 4.0. The study presented a comprehensive analysis of the Iran cluster, including its overall ranking and rankings within specific sub-indices. The findings offer insights into the strategic movement patterns of Iran and provide recommendations for advancing its technological capabilities. This research not only contributes to enhancing the country's readiness in technology but also aims to elevate the power and standing of the Islamic Republic of Iran, particularly in critical sectors such as national defense and security.

The present research was conducted in order to develop scenarios for the future structure of academic disciplines and educational groups in Iran in the atmosphere of the fourth industrial revolution. The approach of the current research is mixed, in terms of practical-developmental purpose and in terms of data collection method, it is descriptive-analytical and using the scenario writing method. The statistical population includes two spectrums; Scientific documents and experts were from public institutions and universities in Tehran. The sampling method was used in the qualitative part of non-probability criterion-based targeted sampling and in the quantitative part of the available type. The sampling method was used in the qualitative part of non-probability criterion-based targeted sampling and in the quantitative part of the available type. The findings showed 16 factors that after the structural analysis of the factors and the weighting of the uncertainties with the method of importance and consensus, the duals of "individual and network knowledge production" and "worn and technological work and employment system" got the highest score. From the interaction of these two uncertainties, 4 scenarios: competent oriented network structure with hashtag symbol; Responsive business-oriented structure with Tradesman symbol; Knowledge oriented task structure with collage symbol; And the educational island structure was achieved with the symbol of the school. In this way, the current situation of the structure of university courses and educational groups in Iran is against the developments of the fourth industrial revolution in a spectrum from transformation (hashtag scenario) to collapse (school scenario). In the near future, universities are witnessing a crisis in the production of knowledge and skills, competence and orbital competence for university graduates and preparing them to enter new markets. So; It is recommended and suggested to transition from the education-oriented island structure to the competent oriented network structure.

Background & the efficient supply chain is one of the important factors in increasing the combat power of defense organizations. Then, in the present research, the design of the smart  Warehouse Managment System of defense organizations is discussed with regard to the fourth industrial revolution.
In terms of its purpose, this research is an applied research and was done qualitatively with the aim of designing smart warehouses. The participants of this stage included selected experts with whom semi-structured interviews were conducted. Thematic analysis method was used to analyze the interview data.
The warehouse design was identified in three main categories; criteria (reliability, cost, productivity and security), requirements (the state of competent human resources, the necessary technical ability to use and implement artificial intelligence, securing warehouses and the state of a suitable mechanized system) and identifying activities (availability of information, stakeholders and decisions key process, task assignment, input process, inventory management, order fulfillment, location management, output process, problem management and financial collection).
Paying attention to the intelligent warehousing management system in defense organizations will improve the supply chain, increase efficiency and reduce costs, and will improve the defense capability.

The current research was conducted to design and model digital transformation based on the fourth-generation industrial revolution in Iran Khodro Company. In this regard, the main question focuses on identifying the factors that impact the design and modeling of digital transformation, rooted in the fourth-generation industrial revolution, and exploring the pattern of causal relationships among these factors in Iran Khodro. 

This study adopts an applied-developmental approach in terms of its purpose, utilizes a descriptive survey method for data collection, and employs a mixed data analysis method. The community of participants in the qualitative section comprised of experts, policymakers, academics, managers of knowledge-based companies, and senior managers of Iran Khodro Company. Sampling was done in a targeted way and theoretical saturation was achieved with 15 people. The statistical population for the quantitative part comprised experts from Iran Khodro Company, estimated to be 172 individuals using Cochran's formula. The required sample volume was provided by a simple random sampling method. A semi-structured interview and a researcher-made questionnaire were used to collect data. The underlying categories of digital transformation in Iran Khodro Company were identified by the grounded theory method and the final model was validated by the partial least squares method. Qualitative data analysis was conducted using Maxqda software, while the quantitative analysis was performed using Smart PLS.

To explain the digital transformation model based on the fourth-generation industrial revolution in Iran Khodro company, semi-structured expert interviews were conducted with marketing professors and managers of Iran Khodro company. At this stage, before the start of the interview, six open questions were considered and during the interview process, new questions were also raised as expected. To get familiar with the depth and scope of the content of the data, repeated and active reading of the data (searching for meanings and patterns) were done. The results of the interviews were extracted using the grounded theory method based on the theory of Strauss and Corbin and by open, central, and selective coding. In the open coding stage, 256 codes were first identified, duplicate codes were removed and synonyms were combined, and finally 58 open codes were identified. During the central coding stage, the initial 58 codes were categorized into 10 classes, and in the selective coding stage, these 10 classes were further condensed into six main classes. In the process of theorizing the database, after collecting, analyzing, and interpreting the data, the next step is to present the model, draw conclusions, and summarize the research. By examining the current situation, the obtained data were classified into six main categories. Professors and experts contributed their perspectives, leading to the utilization of 58 indicators to elucidate the digital transformation model rooted in the fourth-generation industrial revolution at Iran Khodro Company, drawn from all indicators derived through qualitative analysis of interview content.

Based on the research paradigm model, it was determined that digital infrastructure, digital leadership, digital human resources, and digital marketing affect digital transformation in Iran Khodro Company. The fourth industrial revolution provides the necessary platform and the competitiveness of Iran Khodro plays an intervening role. Finally, the digital strategy of Iran Khodro Company leads to the financial and non-financial performance of the company.

The present study was carried out with the aim of exploring and evaluating the question that how can the advantages of the fourth industrial revolution be exploited for the formulation and development of educational standards of the industry sector of the Technical and Vocational Education Organization? Exploratory research method has been used to investigate the objectives of this research. In order to carry out this method, the meta-eval;uation method in the qualitative part and the quantitative descriptive method required information from documents, reports and printed scientific articles related to the 4IR, skills and technical education standards and It was collected in prestigious English and Persian magazines and technical and vocational education organization and Khuzestan Industrial Towns Company. The results of the research showed: First: digital skills, data analysis, cyber security, problem solving, creativity, communication, energy cooperation and renewable energy technology are the priority of education and learning in 4IR. Second, the companies based in Ahvaz Industrial Towns are at the beginner level of this revolution, and a few training courses have been designed and implemented in this field. Third, the educational standards of the Technical and Vocational Education Organization of the country and Khuzestan,It has not been regulated in this regard. As a result, the necessity of re-engineering these standards is felt in the light of the developments of the industrial revolution in technical and vocational education and the educational needs of industrial companies, and not paying attention to it can threaten the competitiveness, efficiency and effectiveness of industries.

Today, with the arrival of new technologies brought by the fourth industrial revolution, organizations can improve their productivity. And considering the many challenges that exist in the country's motorcycle industry; Including sanctions, and various environmental requirements and pressures, motorcycle after-sales service companies are forced to establish a comprehensive software management system. Also, with the advancement of technology and the introduction of new technologies such as the Internet of Things, services are provided for organizations that can help them have a more efficient organizational architecture than before. The result of this research is the design of an organizational architecture based on the Internet of Things for after-sales service companies in the motorcycle industry. To achieve this goal, the inspection unit of one of the branches of Kavir Motor Company was selected as a case study and its processes were rewritten using a piece of hardware based on the Internet of Things; Then, by choosing the famous Zackman framework as the organizational architecture, the first two lines of this framework were rewritten with the Internet of Things and a new organizational architecture based on the Internet of Things was created. In this research, the Internet of Things is the independent variable and the pillars of Zackman's framework (data, function, network, people, time, motivation) are the dependent variables. Based on this, six hypotheses were considered for the research and according to the research questions and hypotheses, a questionnaire was designed for scientific experts in the field of organizational architecture and Internet of Things, and after gathering the opinions of experts and analyzing the questionnaire with chi square test, a questionnaire was also designed for Transportation industry experts (managers and experts in the field of information technology of after-sales service companies) designed and after completion by them and analysis with the third order Wilcoxon test, conclusions were drawn regarding the research hypotheses, which finally out of the six research hypotheses, The fourth hypothesis of the research was rejected, and the first, second, third, fifth and sixth hypotheses were confirmed.

This study examines the factors affecting the model that is presented for the competitiveness of selected knowledge-based companies in the fourth industrial revolution. 23 components were identified and categorized into six factors: causal, contextual, intervening, central phenomenon, strategies and measures, and consequences. Using these components, a questionnaire was designed to determine the current status of selected knowledge-based companies in Iran, and a total of 127 completed questionnaires were collected from 197 knowledge-based manufacturing companies of the first type in the field of electricity and electronics, laser and photonics in the country. was done to examine the current state of the model components. The data was analyzed with SPSS and PLS software. In the analysis carried out, the coefficients of factor loadings of the components are more than 0.4, which shows the appropriateness of this model. Cronbach's alpha and composite reliability is more than 0.7, which indicates the appropriate reliability of the model. Construct validity, convergent validity and divergent validity also had favorable results. The results showed that all the components in the presented model for the competitiveness of selected knowledge-based companies in the fourth industrial revolution played a role, and the current state of all factors except the causal factor, which is in an average state, are in a favorable state.

Due to the increase in competitive pressure and the development and advancement of technology, manufacturing companies today consider Industry 4.0 a fundamental and crucial issue for enhancing performance, as well as for maintaining and improving their competitive position. The purpose of this research is to investigate how knowledge management and its influencing factors affect the implementation of Industry 4.0 in the home appliance industry.
This research is applied in terms of purpose and utilizes a survey for data collection. In order to conduct the current research, 13 factors were initially identified by reviewing the research background. Using the interpretative structural modeling technique, the relationship between the identified factors was determined. Based on this analysis, the conceptual model of this research was presented. In the following study, the fit of the conceptual model was measured and investigated using the structural equation modeling approach and Smart PLS software. In this research, a questionnaire was used to collect data. In order to align with the developed conceptual model, a questionnaire comprising 42 questions was designed based on the research background. It was then distributed to experts, managers, and employees in the household appliances industry using a sampling method. According to the structural equation modeling approach, the required sample size in this research is determined by the relationship 5q<n<15q. In this formula, q represents the number of questionnaire questions, and n represents the sample size. According to the 42 designed questions, 250 questionnaires were distributed, out of which 217 were returned.
The results of this research showed that organizational culture, leadership, organizational innovation, organizational structure, absorption capacity, teamwork, financial resources, compatibility of information systems, flexibility of employees, vision and strategy, performance evaluation, and providing feedback. Education and Industry 4.0 technologies have been identified as effective factors in knowledge management for the implementation of Industry 4.0 in the home appliance industry of the country. The results of this research indicate that the factors influencing knowledge management in the implementation of Industry 4.0 are categorized into eight levels. Organizational culture and leadership are identified as crucial variables and form the basis of the conceptual model essential for establishing Industry 4.0 in the home appliance industry. The results of this research revealed that the variables of financial resources are at the seventh level, teamwork, organizational structure, and training at the sixth level, absorption capacity and vision and strategy at the fifth level, Industry 4.0 technologies at the fourth level, performance evaluation and providing feedback at the third level, flexibility of employees at the second level, and innovation and adaptability of information systems are placed at the first level.
The results of this study can facilitate the implementation of Industry 4.0 in the home appliance industries of the country and encourage home appliance industry managers to utilize knowledge management in Industry 4.0 more effectively.

Higher Education, Education 04,

In the atmosphere of the fourth industrial revolution The fourth industrial revolution has faced fundamental changes in the conditions of societies, organizations and institutions such as universities, and universities need to examine the theoretical foundations in the future. Based on this, the purpose of this research is to identify and structurally analyze the drivers affecting the future of Iran's university education system in the environment of the fourth industrial revolution. The research is developmental-applicative in terms of its purpose and descriptive-exploratory in terms of its nature, and a mixed model (qualitative-quantitative) was used to collect data. After selecting the population and statistical sample, 59 scientific documents and 8 experts were selected as the research sample. In data analysis, data mining tools were used to identify drivers and Delphi technique and Micmac software were used for structural analysis of identified drivers. In the first stage of the findings, 9 drivers were identified, and in the second stage, the structural analysis results showed 2 influential drivers, 3 two-way drivers, 3 dependent drivers and 1 removable driver. The results of the research showed that The variables of "personalized teaching and learning", "big data", "Educational approach of MOOC" and "integration of knowledge and skills" are key factors shaping the future of Iran's university education system. It is expected that the results of this research will be an effective step in providing a structured and systematic interpretation of the main variables affecting the future of Iran's university education system and the relationships between them.