Re-Thinking Industry 4.0 Effect on Competitive Forces: Empirical Study on Innovation

Sustaining a competitive position on the market has become crucial in order to survive dynamic environment under influence of Industry 4.0. Industrial and service sectors have been affected by new technologies, such as automation, robotization, VR, AR or Big data, their strategies towards future innovation focus need be reevaluated. This requires revision theoretical models that assess external following opportunities threats. Our original study 573 Slovak companies presents an analysis Porter’s five forces context activities perceived impact 4.0 companies. The research results provide deep insight relevance company size, maturity sector different perspectives P5F model, well make clear each force measures conducted recent years. findings point strong technology push main product innovation, while reveal paradigm shift perceiving power suppliers. Results our lead practical implications enrich theory strategic current era.