YOU SAY YOU WANT A REVOLUTION: STRATEGIC APPROACHES TO INDUSTRY 4.0 IN MIDDLE-INCOME COUNTRIES Inclusive and Sustainable Industrial Development Working Paper Series WP 19 | 2018 (original) (raw)

The Fourth Industrial Revolution—or Industry 4.0—is expected to radically transform manufacturing as a driver of global development. Because industrialization remains a cornerstone of the long-term development aspirations of numerous developing countries, this paper addresses the following overarching questions: Are developing countries getting ready for Industry 4.0? How are they preparing? Can any lessons be gleaned from existing policy efforts around Industry 4.0? While acknowledging the buzz around Industry 4.0, the paper invites moderation in the analysis of the trends associated with it. Building on evidence from middle-income countries, this paper shows that policy responses have generally remained at the trial stage and are insufficiently articulated with long-term national development strategies. There is significant room for further research and policy experimentation, and role models have yet to emerge. The paper is intended as a reference for policymakers grappling with questions of which strategies to pursue on the path towards I4.0.