Exploring a New Lean Operation Model for Chinese Manufacturing Enterprises by Comparing Major “Industry 4.0” Strategies

Abstract

The term, “Industry 4.0,” introduced by the German government, evokes a new era or the so-called 4th Industrial Revolution. In order to catch up with the worldʼs industrial development trends, various countries have launched corresponding strategies to define their own meanings and terms for this fourth industrial revolution. Therefore, by comparing the major “Industry 4.0” strategies of Germany, China, and the United States, the present paper explores the effectiveness of a new lean operation model for Chinese manufacturing enterprises.