Industry 4.0
Vol. 10 (2025), Issue 5, pg(s) 187-189

BUSINESS & “INDUSTRY 4.0”

Implementing the Industry 4.0 concept in family firms – a case study from Poland

  • 1 Poznań University of Economics and Business, Poland

Abstract

Family firms constitute an important element of the modern economy, combining the values of tradition, intergenerational continuity, and social responsibility. Their activities are often characterized by a conservative approach to strategic decision-making and a cautious attitude toward innovation. However, in the face of increasing global competition and rapid technological change, maintaining a sustainable market position requires openness to digital transformation and the implementation of the Industry 4.0 concept. Industry 4.0 represents a new paradigm of business activity, combining digital technologies and the Internet with conventional manufacturing processes, in order to enhance their efficiency and flexibility. The aim of this paper is to analyze the implementation of the Industry 4.0 concept in a medium-sized family enterprise located in north-eastern Poland. Over its more than forty-year history, the company has undergone a profound transformation from a manufacturer of simple metal products and agricultural tools, through a producer of cable connectors for the shipbuilding industry, to a specialized supplier of components for the aviation, automotive, and railway sectors. In recent years, the company, supported by grants from European Union funds, has established an R&D department as well as a Center for Robotics and Automation, forming the foundation of its digital transformation process. The results of the study indicate that the implementation of Industry 4.0 solutions has contributed to strengthening the company’s competitive position and facilitating its expansion into international markets. The key determinants of success were effective intergenerational succession, the pro-innovative attitudes of family members, and cooperation with universities and research entities.

Keywords

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