Purpose: To address the challenges regarding the concept of Industry 4.0 and the diversification
methodology and based on the strategic guidance towards Industry 4.0, we propose a process
model as a guiding framework for Industry 4.0 collaborative diversification vision, strategy and
action building. In this paper we suggest a stage process model to guide and train companies to
identify new opportunities for diversification within Industry 4.0. Systematically carrying out the
stages will take a company to their individual specific vision and collaborative vision between
different companies in the Industry 4.0 scenario.
Design/methodology/approach: This new collaborative diversification methodology involves
industry within the pilot program; from the diversification and capacity assessment analysis of the
company`s profile, skills and technologies that dominates, to identify the diversification
opportunity map and its business modeling within the Industry 4.0 paradigm.
Findings: The application of maturity models to the Industry 4.0 may help organizations to
integrate this methodology into their culture. Results show a real need for guided support in
developing a company-specific Industry 4.0 vision and specific project planning.
Originality/value: Industry 4.0 promotes a vision where recent developments in information
technology are expected to enable entirely new forms of cooperative engineering and
manufacturing. The vision of industry 4.0 describes a whole new approach to business
operations, and especially the production industries. To address the challenges regarding the concept of Industry 4.0 and the diversification methodology discussed above, and based on the
strategic guidance towards Industry 4.0 (Erol, Schumacher & Sihn, 2016), we propose a unique
process model as a guiding framework for Industry 4.0 collaborative diversification vision,
strategy and action building.
