Fostering digital trust in manufacturing companies: Exploring the impact of industry 4.0 technologies

Abstract

This study examines the multifaceted impacts of digital innovations on organisational structures and stakeholders ‘commitment. The integration of digital technologies, including information technologies, IoT, AI, AR/VR, blockchain, robotics, and automation, underscores the indispensable role of trust in contemporary business operations. Focusing on Italian manufacturing firms at the forefront of Industry 4.0 implementation, this research seeks to unravel the nuanced factors contributing to digital trust. A comprehensive framework, derived from an integrative literature review, categorises two distinct groups of factors influencing a firm's decision to establish digital trust. Employing a configurational approach, specifically Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA), the joint impacts of multiple factors on digital trust levels are scrutinized, offering insights into how different elements synergise to trigger digital trust. This study aims to bridge existing gaps in understanding the intricate dynamics of trust within organisations undergoing digital transformation.

Keywords

• O33 (Technological Change: Choices and Consequences • Diffusion Processes)