Abstract:

Purpose – The economic objectives of enterprises in the different stages of the industrial era were achieved through changing paradigms. Enterprises' new market objective is to customise products to meet the specific requirements of individual customers, which is characteristic of engineering-to-order production. However, this is combined with the low prices and short delivery cycle times typical of mass production. This paper addresses the issue of the relationship between the level of incorporation of Knowledge Management 4.0 methods and tools, which allow for transformation from mass production to mass customisation, and the possibility of achieving objectives in terms of economic, human resources and environmental aspects. This paper focuses on three issues: the operationalisation of mass customization; the operationalisation of knowledge management through the application of Industry 4.0 methods and tools; and the effectiveness of Industry 4.0 methods and tools in achieving corporate sustainability goals in Polish enterprises from 2019 to 2025.
Methodology/approach -These questions are a part of a wider research project on Industry 4.0 and business opportunity theory, conducted at the Faculty of Engineering Management, Poznan University of Technology. The three surveys was conducted in the years 2019, 2023, and 2024-25. The 2019 survey included 100 industrial enterprises (including 60 medium-sized enterprises and 40 large-sized enterprises) operating in various industries in Poland. The 2023 survey comprised 150 medium and large industrial companies (including 60 large ones) operating in 19 different industries in Poland. The 2024-25 survey was conducted in Poland, covering 300 industrial enterprises in 19 industries, including 60 large enterprises and 240 medium-sized enterprises. The respondents were board members and managing directors of companies and were invited to respond on a 1–5 (Likert) scale.
Findings - An analysis of the operationalisation of mass customisation indicates varied trends in the use of Industry 4.0 methods and tools between 2020 and 2025.